AN impatient motorist who saw red after a refuse wagon stopped him getting to work has been ordered to pay compensation for fracturing the driver’s cheekbone.

Andrew Modeste, 22, punched Paul Eastwood in the face and threw stones at him during an early morning confrontation in Day Street, Aspley.

Mr Eastwood, who was working with two colleagues, was left with a bloodied face and when he was treated in hospital the fractured cheekbone was discovered.

Modeste, of Delacey Avenue, Almondbury, Huddersfield, was yesterday (THURS) ordered by a judge to pay his victim £750 compensation after he admitted a charge of unlawful wounding.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Modeste – who had previous convictions for common assault, assault and threatening behaviour – had been rushing to get to work with his girlfriend when they found the refuse wagon was blocking their path.

Barrister Elyas Patel, for Modeste, conceded that he had seen red and there was no excuse or justification for attacking a public servant who was just doing his job.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall, QC, said the public probably expected him to lock Modeste up for the offence, but if he did he would not be able to make the labourer pay compensation to the driver.

The judge told Modeste he was suspending a 12-month prison sentence for two years, but he warned him that any breach would lead to him being locked up.

“I am hesitant about this order because the guidelines say I should lock you up, but I can take a risk because I can promise the public if it goes wrong I can put the record straight,’’ said the judge.

As part of the order, Modeste will have to do 60 hours unpaid work, be subject to supervision for a year and attend anger management sessions.

Because Modeste admitted the wounding charge on the day of his trial last month he faced a costs bill totalling £2,800, but the judge only ordered him to pay £250 towards that amount.

“You were irritated and arrogant with this waste collection gentleman,’’ the judge told Modeste.

“I bet he does get a lot of grief from the public who don’t see the need to wait for somebody doing a useful job and he didn’t deserve to be hurt.’’