A MOTORCYCLIST who punched a pensioner in the face in a fit of road rage has been jailed.

John Faulkner, 44, admitted assault by beating after he attacked 72-year-old Stuart Mcfarlane on December 16, 2014.

He was sentenced at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday by Deputy District Judge Rev Shlomo Kreiman.

The court heard Faulkner, living with his sister at Harefields, Oxford, was on a motorbike at about 4.30pm on the day.

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Sarah Mackay, prosecuting, said Mr Mcfarlane turned right off Carlton Road into Banbury Road when his blue VW Golf and Faulkner’s Triumph Motorcycle collided.

She said: “Taking his gloves and helmet off, Faulkner opened the car door then punched the victim several times in the face. He then walked away and came back to throw his helmet at the victim’s windscreen. He was seen pulling his licence plates off and drove away.”

Mr Mcfarlane was left with cuts, severe bruising and swelling to the face which required treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital. His car was undamaged.

Emily Stoddart, defending, asked the judge to take into account that Faulkner was injured by the collision.

She said: “He was hit by a car.”

The judge heard Faulkner had to take time off work as a general labourer because of the injury and subsequently lost his job.

Miss Stoddart said: “As soon as he walked away from the car he regretted [the attack].”

A probation service report added: “He regrets very much what he’s done, it was not a planned event. “He had wanted to go and knock on the window but he was in so much pain, he hit the driver.”

Judge Kreiman said: “The fact remains that the matter is so serious that only a custodial sentence will do. “I have looked at these graphic and disturbing photographs of Mr Mcfarlane’s injuries. I need to consider the victim.”

Faulkner was jailed for eight weeks and was also ordered to pay an £80 victims’ surcharge.