THE victim of a road-rage attack claimed the incident had left him with a fear of white van drivers, a court was told.

Colin Hunter said he kept waking up seeing the face of the other driver, who punched him once.

Neil Stephen Williams, 43, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was convicted after a trial of assaulting Mr Hunter causing him actual bodily harm.

He was sentenced to 90 days in prison suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and £250 costs.

Neil White, prosecuting, said there was an incident at a roundabout and shortly after Mr Hunter stopped at traffic lights and saw the van pull up behind him and the driver get out.

Mr Hunter got out of his car and during a confrontation asked Williams to calm down on three occasions.

"He then felt a punch to his face and immediately felt blood running down his face," said Mr White.

"He turned to see the defendant getting back into his van and walked up and grabbed him saying; "You're not hitting me and then leaving."

Rachel Adamson, defending, said a volatile situation had escalated out of control.