A Peugeot driver has appeared in court accused of running over an LTN ‘human bollard’ in Divinity Road.

Nisar Sadiq, 52, is said by prosecutors to have been behind the wheel of a Peugeot 107 on Sunday, October 23, when he drove at a man, leaving him with ‘actual bodily harm’-level injuries.

It allegedly came after the man struck Sadiq’s windscreen, reportedly having claimed to be a ‘human bollard’ on a street where the Low Traffic Neighbourhood obstruction was periodically removed during 2022.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Thursday morning (May 25), Sadiq, of Westbury Crescent, Oxford, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving and causing actual bodily harm. He spoke only to confirm his name and his not guilty pleas.

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Recorder Samantha Presland, the judge dealing with the short plea and trial preparation hearing this week, granted the defendant bail to return to the crown court on April 29 for his trial. The case is expected to last two to three days.

The judge gave the usual warnings from the bench, including urging him to closely read the defence statement drafted by his lawyers and setting out his account of the events last October.

“Take responsibility for your trial,” Recorder Presland said, echoing the judicial warnings she had given in similar plea and trial preparation hearings.

Julian Lynch appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service at Thursday’s hearing. The defendant was represented by Peter du Feu.

Last year, videos circulated of people acting as ‘human bollards’ in Divinity Road after ‘vandals destroyed the physical bollards’ in the street.

Damage to bollards across East Oxford was last November reported to have cost the county council £72,000.

The former rubber bollards, which were designed to be knocked down by emergency service vehicles, were replaced this year with lockable wooden posts. Earlier this month, the Oxford Mail reported that it had cost the council £86,000 to purchase and install the new posts and locks.