A MAN convicted over a "road rage" type incident has been given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay his victim compensation.

James Bowen had been found guilty on charges of robbery and affray. A trial had heard that he kicked and grabbed at another man in a scene that arose in the Blackburn area nearly a year ago.

The 44-year-old man of Higher Worble Hey Farm, Mellor, had been convicted on a majority verdict of robbery and also been found guilty of affray. His trial took place last August and Bowen's case had been adjourned several times since then.

The robbery charge involved his taking car keys from another man.

Defence barrister Mr Mark Stuart said everything arose out of what may or may not have been a minor road accident.

He described the incident as extraordinary.

"Usually, the aim of a robbery is to steal something from a person and the violence is secondary. Here it was the other way round.

"The car keys were taken, not for any purpose of dishonesty, but probably a question of malice to deprive the other man from driving away from the scene."

Bowen, who had no previous convictions, was said to have suffered from a depressive condition for over 20 years.

Recorder Philip Butler gave Bowen 18 months prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to pay over £400 compensation.

He said both offences were committed in the context of "road rage." "I have a duty to mark the severity of the offences. They cross the custody threshold."

But the judge added that due to unusual features in the case and other matters he was able to pass a suspended sentence.