A DRIVER was pulled from his car and repeatedly punched in a road rage attack in front of his partner and one-year-old daughter.

Businessman Philip Wright thumped James Kemp – then got back in his jeep and ran him down.

Mr Kemp landed on the bonnet and rolled off, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Mr Kemp's daughter screamed and shouted at Wright "go away" during the attack.

Wright had claimed Mr Kemp "cut him up" in his car, but the court heard there was nothing wrong with the victim's driving.

Wright, who coaches a young team of rugby players and has a conservatory business, had also claimed that Mr Kemp was the aggressor and that he "jumped on the bonnet". But two independent witnesses described the incident the same as Mr Kemp, the court heard.

Wright pleaded guilty to affray, and Judge Michael Stokes QC sentenced him to nine months in prison.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the victim had fought back after the initial attack, and Judge Stokes said: "Well, why shouldn't he?"

The attack happened in Rosemary Street, Mansfield, on July 29.

After Mr Kemp drove in front of Wright's jeep, he raised his hand to say "thank you". Wright responded by sounding his horn and Mr Kemp raised his hand to say "sorry".

When both cars stopped at traffic lights on red, Wright got out of his car, banged on Mr Kemp's window and pulled the door open.

He repeatedly hit him in the face and head. Mr Kemp told his partner to call the police. As he went back to his car, the defendant drove towards him.

"Fortunately, he was not badly injured," added Julia King, prosecuting.

Wright, of Felley Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, had a cut to the top of his head and a displaced shoulder. He went home and treated himself.

"He clearly came off considerably worse," explained Adrian Langdale, in mitigation.

"Hand gestures were coming from Mr Kemp. I accept, from my client, he responded inappropriately as to that.

"He is 45, with two grown-up children. He lives with his wife of 28 years."

Of the incident where Wright drove at Mr Kemp, he said it was over a short distance and his client had braked slowly so Mr Kemp could come off the bonnet.

A senior events manager, who had known the defendant for five years, told the court he had never seen Wright lose his temper.

Judge Stokes imposed a six-month driving ban and told Wright that Mr Kemp had been driving along perfectly lawfully.

"Whatever your view of his driving may have been, for you to stop your vehicle, open his door and drag him out of the car and assault him, is simply behaviour which is completely unacceptable.

"When I read these papers the sentence I pencilled in for you was 18 months in prison. In view of what I have heard, I am prepared to accept that this incident was, to some degree at least, out of character."

rebecca.sherdley@ nottinghameveningpost.co.uk