A motorist who tried to mow down a former Maidstone United footballer in a road rage row was spared jail and sent on an anger management course by a judge.

Aaron Mullis, 25, drove at 30-year-old defender Mario McNish three times after a fist fight at a set of traffic lights.

Mr McNish luckily escaped any injury after diving out the way as Mullis' Ford Mondeo smashed into the roadside barrier.

Mullis was convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving by a jury at the Old Bailey.

But Judge Ann Goddard QC decided not to send him to prison after hearing he had been diagnosed with depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.

She sentenced him to 51 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered him to attend an "aggression replacement therapy program".

The judge said: "This is a very serious offence but my objective is not merely to punish but to provide a structure that will stop any recurrence.

"Serious though your actions were I do not find you provide a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm.

"You have a history of emotional and mental health problems and because of them you have not made progress with any sort of career.

"Although the custody threshold has been passed I propose to take the exceptional course proposed."

Mullis will also undergo mental health treatment, carry out 300 hours unpaid work and spend three months under a 9pm to 7am curfew.

The road rage row erupted as both Mullis and McNish drove along Sydenham Road, Sydenham, southeast London, in the afternoon of October 17 last year.

Mr McNish, who was returning from training in his Mercedes, beeped his horn at Mullis when the traffic lights turned green.

Mullis jumped out of his car to remonstrate with the footballer, who punched him in the face, breaking his jaw.

Mullis got back into this car and tried to reverse into Mr McNish, smashing through metal fencing on the side of the road.

Mr McNish told the court: "It was crazy. He drove at me. He moved up on to the pavement and crashed into a signpost. I ran across the road.

"I assumed he was drunk. I was in shock at what just happened."

The passenger in Mullis' car got out and started hitting the victim's Mercedes with a piece of car bumper before they drove off.

Mullis was later arrested at his home after evading police during a high speed chase through south London.

He told the court he got out to speak to Mr McNish because he thought the footballer was trying to attract his attention.

"I didn't want to fight. I was doing my best," he said.

He claimed he panicked when he got back into the car and may have driven towards the victim when his foot slipped on the accelerator.

Mullis, of [18a] Ravensbourne Road, Catford, southeast London, denied attempted murder, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving. He was cleared of attempted murder by the jury.

McNish has also played for Brentford in west London and Fisher Athletic in south London.