A MOTORIST who attacked a pedestrian after an altercation while the latter crossed the road had his sentence upheld by London's Appeal Court.

David Wheatcroft, 29, of The Gables, Stourport, was jailed for two and a half years at Worcester Crown Court in January this year after pleading guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Wheatcroft was prosecuted after an incident near the CrownGate shopping centre in April last year when he exchanged words with a pedestrian crossing Broad Street, Worcester.

The pedestrian, Andrew Musgrave, claimed Wheatcroft leapt out of the driving seat after motioning him towards the car, beating him to the skull with a car jack located in the stairwell.

Wheatcroft later denied wielding the car jack, although he conceded punching the pedestrian.

He sought permission to appeal against his sentence on grounds that it was "excessive" but had his case rejected last Friday by Dame Heather Steel, sitting with Lord Justice Laws and Mr Justice Field.

Dame Heather said Wheatcroft had committed a display of "public violence", which merited the sentence imposed.

The sentence of two and a half years was "not manifestly excessive".