A SELF-employed builder grabbed a driver by the throat and pushed him up against his car after he was overcome by road rage in Worcester.

Barton Luke became enraged when Frederick Cummings overtook him and then stopped at the side of Bromwich Road next to some bollards, blocking the road for other vehicles.

He pulled up behind Mr Cummings' white Astra, got out and grabbed him by the throat, shouting "what the f****** hell are you playing at?"

Droitwich magistrates heard the incident had taken place around 9.15am on June 8 last year, and Luke had been travelling to a job in his white Peugeot van.

Mr Cummings' car had been travelling in the same direction when it was overtaken by Luke.

"A little further along the road, Mr Cummings overtook the vehicle being driven by the defendant and came to a halt next to some bollards near a garage," said Doreece Gunter, prosecuting.

"Both drivers came to a halt and Mr Cummings was about to go into the garage when he was confronted by the defendant.

"Both vehicles were blocking the road where they were parked.

"One female witness saw the defendant get out of his car and move quickly towards the older man and violently grab him around the throat with his hands and push him against his car.

"The other man had a look of horror on his face and the woman was so concerned she shouted at the defendant to stop. He relaxed his grip and made reference to the man being an idiot."

The court heard the incident was seen by several witnesses, but although Mr Cummings was shaken up, he was not injured.

Luke, of Neath Way, Sedgeley, near Dudley, admitted a charge of assault by beating.

Richard Wilkes, defending, said his client had been provoked into the assault.

"He'd done a legitimate overtake and for whatever reason Mr Cummings took umbrage at this and flashed his lights and blew his horn at Mr Luke," he said.

"He slowed down and Mr Cummings overtook him and parked in front of bollards, blocking the road."

Mr Wilkes said 39-year-old Luke accepted he was angry and got out of the car and grabbed Mr Cummings.

"He was concerned of the danger presented to both himself and other road users by Mr Cummings. There was provocation in this assault," he added.

Luke was given a 12-month conditional discharge with £69 costs.