A MAN who once received a citizenship award for apprehending a car thief has been jailed for ten months for a serious road rage attack in front of his nine-year-old daughter.

Darren Puttock, 28, of Bailey Crescent, Fleetsbridge, Poole, aimed a kick at victim Colin Campbell, 39, through his car window as he was parked in the street and punched him several times.

Recorder Richard Mawhinney described it as a "serious road rage attack" and said Puttock acted in a "grossly excessive way".

Bournemouth Crown Court was told that prior to the incident Mr Campbell was seen to reverse back into Mr Puttock's vehicle in which he was sitting with his daughter.

The attack took place on June 3 last year.

Mr Campbell, who was driving in front of Puttock, braked sharply causing him to come to an abrupt stop and then reversed backwards into Puttock's car, the court heard.

Later Puttock approached Mr Campbell's vehicle and told him: "You picked on the wrong person to cut up. I'm a kick-boxing champion".

Puttock then aimed a kick at Mr Campbell through the car window, punched him five or six times and damaged the car door.

Finally Puttock snatched Mr Campbell's car keys and threw them away then left the scene.

Mr Campbell was taken to hospital suffering from a bloody nose, cut lip, grazes and a smashed tooth.

Puttock admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Prosecutor Richard Martin told the court: "The defendant didn't know whether he should defend himself or not."

Ross Wheedon, defending, said Puttock admitted kicking and punching Mr Campbell and throwing away the keys but said he had feared for the safety of himself and his nine-year-old daughter.

Mr Wheedon said that a few years ago Puttock won a Daily Echo citizenship award and received a letter of commendation from the police when he apprehended a car thief and threw the car keys away.

He said that Puttock had reacted in a similar way on June 3 when he thought a crime was being committed.

He added: "He was given an award when he took the keys and threw them away to prevent people getting away. Perhaps that was a reaction for that gentleman to do it at that stage in a panic."

First published: May 23