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Motorist caught on video pushing cyclist with car pleads guilty

Motorist caught on video pushing cyclist with car pleads guilty

A Gatineau motorist whose angry confrontation with a cyclist was captured on video has pleaded guilty to assault and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The standoff between Chelsea, Que., cyclist Victor Jung and 47-year-old Patrice Lepage was recorded by a passing driver on Jan. 11 along Bronson Avenue near Slater Street.

A video of the confrontation posted online showed a car nudging Jung repeatedly as he tried to use his bike as a shield, all while shouting "No!" at the driver.

The 39-second video did not show how the conflict started.

According to an agreed statement of facts, Lepage accelerated into Jung's bicycle during the confrontation. He then got out of his car, grabbed Jung's bicycle and threw it, and then slapped the Glebe Collegiate Institute teacher.

Jung's bicycle was damaged in the attack.

After the charges were laid, Jung told CBC News the entire affair had been "nerve-wracking" and that — after fixing up his damaged bike's back wheel — he was back on the streets.

Lepage could face a sentence ranging from jail time to a conditional discharge, assistant Crown attorney Julian Daller said Thursday.

He is expected to appear in court again on June 28.