A MODEL who was accused of cutting into another driver’s lane before knocking him down on a busy Swindon roundabout has been acquitted of all charges.

Roseanne Barrett faced an allegation of driving without due care and attention as well as using a vehicle where the number of passengers carried is likely to cause danger dating back to October 27 last year.

The 29-year-old, of Croydon Road, Wallington denied both charges and faced a trial at Swindon Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Outlining the case to magistrates, prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the incident happened at around 4.30pm at the Blagrove roundabout travelling towards the M4.

“On approach to the roundabout, Miss Barrett goes to change lanes and she says she had indicated.

“However there is a collision between her vehicle and Aaron Linsley’s car.

“Both vehicles stop and he begins to take pictures. He is standing at the front of the car when it is alleged she has put her car forward, striking him on the leg, causing him to take steps backwards and fall down. “It is accepted that she was driving her car but what is in question is whether her standard of driving fell below a careful and competent driver.”

Mr Linsley told magistrates that he was driving his green Renault Megane in the direction of the M4 roundabout in order to join the B4005 to Wroughton.

“The traffic was heavy and near enough stopped but my lane was flowing relatively freely,” he said. “There was traffic in the outside lane which didn’t seem to be flowing at all. The vehicle came across and changed lanes in front of me. She changed without any signal. I reduced my speed but it happened so quickly and there was nowhere for me to go.”

As a result of coming into contact with Miss Barrett’s Audi A5, Mr Linsley claims his hip and knee were injured. He also said there was damage to the bumper of his car.

In cross examination, defending Barrett, Ms Flint questioned Mr Linsley was on how he felt following the initial bump after he told the court he found it “annoying” and “frustrating” that the defendant had cut into the lane.

He was also asked why he swore and used other expletives following the initial collision.

“You were smiling and smirking when you were taking photos and then you hit the front of the bonnet with the cast you had on your arm because you saw this an opportunity to earn some fast buck,” she said.

“You were angry that a woman in a nice car had tried to cut in and then you took the opportunity to take some compensation.”

In response, Mr Linsley said: “There was no need for her to get out of that lane because it goes straight on.

“I was taking photos to show the position of her car.

“Subsequently I have now bought a dashcam for my car.”

Following the altercation, both parties were ushered to the nearby industrial estate by police officers.

An independent witness gave evidence in court and was defiant in her admission that she saw Miss Barrett’s Audi drive into Mr Linsley but said she did not see the first collision.

As well as the driving without due care and attention charge, Miss Barrett also faced an allegation of using a vehicle where the number of passengers carried is likely to cause danger. At the time of the incident, she was transporting five passengers to hospital despite only having four spare seats. A two-year-old child sat on their mother’s lap in the rear of the car with no seatbelt - a point of contention according to the CPS.

Taking to the witness stand, Miss Barrett said: “I always indicate, even when people aren’t behind me.

“I thought I have enough time to pull out but Mr Linsley wasn’t very impressed and he decided to accelerate and block me in the gap and then he started shouting.

“At that time there was no collision or any contact but I could see him shouting. I undid my passenger side window and said there is no need to be like that but he was still mouthing off. He then decided to move forward and said ‘oops look you have gone into my car’.

“After he got out of the car he punched my bonnet and I have a dent from where it was. Then he did this little charade of holding his leg.”

“It is more me being naïve to think having that many people in the car was alright.

“But I thought how could I leave three other children on their own at home and I take full responsibility but we were going to the hospital and Miss Kennedy thought it was ok for the two-year-old to be on her lap.”

Magistrates took less than half an hour to acquit Miss Barrett of all charges.