A MAN who terrorised an elderly couple by kicking and banging on their car while it was stuck in traffic in Blackburn has been jailed.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Mark Palliser attacked the 71-year-old motorist, Horace Cooper, when he got out to check what damage had been caused to his vehicle.

Speaking after the case Mr Cooper welcomed the jail sentence.

He said: "It will keep him off the streets for a while but I don't know if it will teach him a lesson or not.

"If I had my way they would bring back national service, it would teach some of these people how to behave."

Palliser, 39, formerly of Cherry Tree Lodge, Islington, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage. He was jailed for 90 days.

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said Mr Cooper and his wife Rita had been very upset by the incident.

"They were unable to drive home they were that traumatised." said Miss Crane.

Miss Crane said Mr and Mrs Cooper were in a queue of traffic on King Street at 1pm when they saw Palliser who appeared very aggressive.

He came to the rear of their car and started banging and kicking on it Mr Cooper parked up nearby to assess the damage.

"As he parked Palliser ran up and started banging on the roof, raging and shouting abuse," said Miss Crane.

"Mr Cooper locked the doors and Palliser began head butting the rear window."

Mr Cooper got out of his car to remonstrate with Palliser who grabbed him by the jacket and then punched him.

"Mr Cooper pulled out his phone to ring the police but Palliser grabbed it off him and threw it on the floor," she said.

"The court will be concerned about this gratuitous violence against a motorist in the town centre in the middle of the day."

The court heard the offence was committed in November and since then Palliser had been living rough in Blackpool until he was arrested on a warrant.