Three lorry drivers have been jailed after a parking dispute at an M2 services escalated into a violent confrontation.
Bogdan Joja, 32, his father Traian Joja, 56, and Simion Rafaila, 25, were all charged with affray and Bogdan was additionally charged with grievous bodily harm following the “needless” incident at Medway Services on 28 February.
Maidstone Crown Court heard how Bogdan stopped his lorry at the service area and reserved the space next to him for his father.
Two men in another lorry then arrived and parked in the reserved space against Bogdan’s wishes.
They declined to move when Traian arrived and the argument became more heated.
Traian pinned one of the victims against his lorry, holding him by the throat, while Bogdan, assisted by Rafaila, repeatedly punched him to the head.
The victim fell to the ground and suffered a seizure while his associate was also repeatedly punched to the body.
The pair fled the assault and were later treated at hospital having suffered broken bones as well and bruising.
Officers attended and arrested the three men who are all Romanian nationals with no fixed addresses.
They pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and Bogdan was jailed for 12 months while Traian and Rafaila were both imprisoned for seven months.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Lauren Mewett said: “This was a needless and violent attack on two men who had simply stopped to rest during their journey.
“The level of aggression shown left both victims with significant injuries and could have had even more serious consequences.
“This case highlights how quickly situations can escalate, and we hope these sentences send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”
