A DRIVER who punched a man's nose in a road rage attack has been sentenced to three months in prisonwith the sentence suspended for one year.

Jason Andrew King, 41, of Frome Road, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, appeared before Weymouth magistrates for sentencing.

He had been previously been found guilty of assaulting David Cutting by beating him.

Prosecutor Barry Baines said at 4.30pm on August 7 last year Mr Cutting was driving along Commercial Road, Weymouth, when he reached King's roundabout.

The court heard he got into lane to turn on to Radipole Park Drive and noticed King's vehicle to his right and assumed he was taking the third exit of the roundabout. Mr Baines said a gap in the traffic appeared and both vehicles pulled out.

King accelerated faster than Mr Cutter and caused him to brake and sound his horn.

King stopped his car in Radipole Park Drive and walked back to Mr Cutting who was still sitting strapped into his vehicle.

Mr Baines said Mr Cutting told King: "You cut me up" and King swore and said: "I was in the right lane" before punching him in the nose through the open window. The court heard the blow caused profuse bleeding. King walked away and the police were called.

Magistrate Rosemary Ditchburn said: "The bench is very concerned that this was a serious assault that was unprovoked, and a road rage assault in Dorset does have a guideline of custody."

King was sentenced to the three-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to comply with a supervision requirement and attend a general offending programme and conflict resolution programme.

He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation and £300 court costs.