Driver jailed for more than 13 years after he bottled another road user in the face during a traffic argument

A man has been jailed for more than 13 years after he bottled a driver in the face and maimed him following a traffic dispute in Vauxhall.

Stefan Setepenre Dennis, 46, of Crunden Road, South Croydon, jumped into the other man’s car and drove it onto the pavement, ran off and then returned with the broken bottle and slashed the face and hands of his victim.

He was sentenced to 13 years and 6 months’ imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court last Tuesday, May 19.

He was found guilty of wounding with intent and pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent and criminal damage at the same court in March.

The court heard that Setepenre was driving in the Vauxhall area on 13 June 2020 when he abruptly changed lane, clipping the car behind.

Both drivers got out of their vehicles and started rowing about whose fault it was.

Setepenre got into the victim’s car and drove it onto the pavement.

He then approached the victim, who was filming the incident, snatched the phone from their hand and threw it on the ground before driving away.

Setepenre returned a few minutes later on foot, picking up a glass beer bottle and breaking it.

He struck the victim, who was still waiting at the scene, in the face and hand several times with the broken bottle, causing severe lacerations.

Setepenre fled the scene after being challenged by two off-duty officers who were walking past.

He was arrested on June 15 2020 after being identified by the registration marker on the car, hired it in his name a few days earlier.

Setepenre was charged on 16 June 2020 with Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm With Intent, Criminal Damage and Taking A Vehicle Without Consent.

Detective Constable Sam Jones, from the local policing team in central south London, said: “This was a senseless and horrific attack. It followed a minor road traffic accident that could have happened to anyone.

“Setepnre’s actions were interrupted by two off-duty police officers, which led him to run from the scene.

“Were it not for their intervention, even greater harm could well have been caused.

“The victim will now have to live with the consequences of Setepenre’s brutally violent and disproportionate response for their rest of their life.

“I hope that this sentence beings to bring them some closure.”