A ROAD rage incident led to a man following a disabled Cathedral Close parking attendant to his home, confronting him and causing him to have an angina attack, a court heard.

Andrew Mitchell, 43, of Devizes Road, Salisbury, pleaded guilty to causing Tony Dennett, 68, actual bodily harm and was given a suspended jail sentence at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Dennett, who uses crutches because he suffers from arthritis in his knees and spine, was driving home in his Renault Scenic with his wife Kathleen on July 17 last year when he was involved in an incident with Mitchell on the roundabout between the A360 and the A303.

The court heard that after the incident, as they drove towards Salisbury, Mitchell overtook Mr Dennett and slowed to a crawl, stopping and starting in front of him and affecting Mr Dennett’s ability to drive.

He followed Mr Dennett until he pulled up in a disabled space close to his house in Great Wishford and got out of his car.

Mitchell then confronted his victim, accusing him of damaging his car, although no collision had occurred, before grabbing and pushing him, causing him to stumble on his crutches.

Mr Dennett then suffered a serious angina attack and had to be hospitalised for six days.

Defending Mitchell, Marcus Tregilgas-Davey said he had never been in trouble before and had done no more than push Mr Dennett.

Judge Douglas Field gave him an eight-month sentence suspended for 12 months, with 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay £300 compensation to Mr Dennett.

He said: “You clearly lost your temper and this state was with you for a considerable period because after the roundabout you pursued this man.

“He must have already been frightened and intimidated by the manner of your driving and then you were angry, shouting and grabbed and pushed him. As a direct result he suffered an angina attack, a very painful and frightening experience in itself.”

Judge Field said he had read good references about Mitchell and there was just enough in his personal mitigation not to send him to prison.

Speaking after the case, Mr Dennett said: “It’s closure for me, I wouldn’t have wanted to see anyone go to prison but I’m glad it’s over.

“I’ve never seen anyone in such a rage and I don’t know what damage he thought I’d done because the police couldn’t find any.”