A pedestrian was beaten with a socket set handle after nearly being involved in an accident with a car.

Chef Darren Dunhill was crossing North Lane, Canterbury, when he was almost hit by the vehicle following which the passenger got out and there was an exchange of words before Mr Dunhill walked off.

Seconds later he heard running feet and turned to see the man chasing him and he was hit three times on the elbow and in the abdomen with the handle.

He was able to note the car number which he passed to police and officers went to the address of the car’s registered keeper and found and arrested Peter Savage who was hiding in a cupboard.

Savage, 29, of Warwick Road, Spring Lane, was committed to Canterbury Crown Court for sentence having admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for 18 months.

He must also pay Mr Dunhill £100 compensation for the bruises he caused.

He was told by Judge Nigel van der Bijl it was a case of road rage involving a pedestrian who had as much right to cross a road as a car had to be on it.

“People drive badly enough as it is without people now driving and then fighting as a result of incidents which take place.”

Duane Bridger, for Savage, had said there had been an exchange of words and the judge said something probably had been said by the victim to someone in the car but it was no reason for Savage to get out and least of all to take a weapon with him and that meant he had to go to prison.

Savage had previous convictions but Mr Bridger said they were mainly alcohol related but he had kept out of trouble for four years when in a relationship but started drinking again when that broke up.

Savage claimed abuse had been shouted at the car his girlfriend was driving so they turned round. He recognised the seriousness of the offence but accepted he could have left but he lost his temper.

He asked the court to consider a suspended sentence with an alcohol banning order.

Savage was fearful of going to prison because when he came out he would have made little progress.