A thug who broke a man’s nose in a road rage attack has been spared from prison.

Nathan Robinson pulled open the door of Thomas Wright’s vehicle, leaned in and repeatedly punched him.

He was upset after the 22-year-old hit his work van.

Kirklees magistrates criticised the violent episode and handed Robinson a suspended jail term.

The incident happened on Leeds Road in Bradley on July 23.

As the vehicles passed the junction with Bradley Road the road narrowed into one lane.

Mr Wright’s van, covered with yellow and red chevrons, hit Robinson’s Vauxhall Combo.

This caused some minor damage but Robinson, of Moorside Road in Kirkheaton, responded by attacking Mr Wright.

Robert Campbell, prosecuting at Kirklees Magistrates yesterday, said: “He gets out, approaches the van and assaults the complainant.

“The complainant has attended at hospital because his nose was bleeding and was advised that his nose was broken.

“Fortuitously, the vehicle behind is a wagon which had a camera installed so there’s CCTV of the whole incident.”

Robinson, 27, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Neil Murphy, mitigating, said that it appeared that Mr Wright should have given way to Robinson.

He told magistrates: “That didn’t justify my client’s behaviour – he behaved like a thug.

“Even if you’re angered about the manner of driving you don’t get out of your vehicle and you don’t take the law into your own hands.

“It’s a very unsavoury incident and my client fully accepts that.

“The victim was vulnerable in that he was in the vehicle.

“It was a fit of temper. My client is a big man and to behave the way he did was intimidating and would have been distressing to the driver.”

Mr Murphy added that Robinson, who had no previous convictions, clearly had anger issues.

Magistrates sitting in Huddersfield sentenced him to an 18-week suspended jail term.

Chair of the bench Susan Collins told him: “You went straight in to the driver, punched him several times and you only stopped when you realised other drivers had become aware.

“It was a serious and violent attack on a victim who was not in the position to defend himself.”

Robinson must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work as part of a community order.

Finally, he was ordered to pay Mr Wright £300 compensation as well as court costs and a victim surcharge.