Road rage killer jailed for three years

Bio O'Brien (right) in court for his sentencing today. Photo / NZPA

A student who killed an elderly man after a road rage incident has been jailed for three years.

Bio O'Brien, 28, attacked Jasmatbhai Patel, 78, after a minor collision on Carrington Road, Auckland on April 7 this year.

O'Brien beat Mr Patel and then pushed him onto the concrete, the elderly man suffering a head wound which led to his death later in hospital.

Sentencing O'Brien at the High Court in Auckland today, Justice Judith Potter said the attack was an "appalling case of what can be described as road rage."

She said the assault was "unprovoked and unjustified."

In an emotional victim impact statement read to the court by Mr Patel's son George, he said that he felt that he had lost "a precious part of his life" and missed his father every day.

In July Bio O'Brien, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 78-year-old Jasmatbhai Patel.

Van driver Mr Patel was attacked by O'Brien after what police called a "minor crash" with O'Brien's BMW outside Unitec in Carrington Road, Mt Albert.

Mr Patel was admitted to Auckland Hospital but died the following day.

The attack by the Unitec student was seen by dozens of horrified school children.

- NZ HERALD STAFF