A young thug and his friend dragged a pensioner from his car and punched him to the ground in a vicious road rage attack.

Andrew Dickson, 27, and his pal rained blows down on 66-year-old Geoffrey Bray before Dickson reversed into his car several times.

Retired Mr Bray, who suffered a bruised eye, cuts to his forehead and an injured back, was in pain for almost a week after the attack in Seasalter.

Now Dickson has been told he faces a prison sentence after he admitted the assault and was convicted of dangerous driving.

Judge Rupert Lowe said: “This is a most horrific example of road rage by a man in his 20s on a man in his 60s.

“It is shocking and can only be met with a custodial sentence.”

Canterbury Crown Court heard Mr Bray had been driving along the Thanet Way and turned off at the Whitstable slip road slightly late and cut in front of a Ford Puma driven by Dickson.

Dickson sounded his horn, flashed his lights and followed Mr Bray.

He overtook him by driving on the wrong side of the road near a pedestrian crossing and then braked, trapping Mr Bray’s car by a barrier.

"This is a most horrific example of road rage... it is shocking and can only be met with a custodial sentence" - Judge Rupert Lowe

Prosecutor Mary Jacobson said: “Dickson and his passenger got out and dragged Mr Bray from his car.

“Dickson punched Mr Bray and his passenger joined in. Mr Bray was punched repeatedly in the face and arms and fell to the ground.

“The assault carried on until other drivers got out of their cars and intervened.”

Dickson then reversed two or three times into Mr Bray’s car before speeding off.

He denied the assault but later changed his plea. He was found guilty by magistrates of dangerous driving.

Ian Bond, defending, said Dickson suffered from a condition that affected his reaction to ordinary, everyday circumstances.

“He’s back on his medication now,” Mr Bond added.

Judge Lowe said he was reluctantly adjourning sentencing until June 28 for medical evidence and reports.