A RESTAURANT owner has been jailed for a road rage attack on a motorcyclist and his girlfriend.

Mario Bove, 63, put his foot down and slammed his silver Mercedes C320 into the Honda bike which was the couple were riding.

Bove sped off but was identified by his registration plate which fell off in the incident.

The injured motorcyclists also recognised Bove, who is the owner of Zafferelli Italian restaurant in New Road, Brighton.

The incident dates back to June 27, 2016.

Bove had got into an argument with the 26-year-old after the motorbike rider had complained about his bad driving.

He drove off but Bove followed him in Eastern Road, Brighton.

As the motorcyclist slowed down for a car in front of him Bove accelerated and rammed his bike, leaving the man and his girlfriend injured.

Bove then drove off.

On June 26 this year, Bove, of Eastern Road, Brighton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm at Lewes Crown Court.

He was disqualified from driving immediately upon conviction pending sentencing, which was adjourned until a later date.

However, on September 13, prior to sentencing, Bove was spotted driving the same vehicle through the city.

He was located and arrested in Eastern Road, and charged with driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

At Lewes Crown Court he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 30 months.

He must also take an extended retest if he wishes to regain his licence.

Rose Horan was the officer in charge of the case.

She said: “The motorcyclist and his young passenger, both local to Brighton, were lucky not to sustain very serious injury, as both were knocked into the path of oncoming traffic by Bove’s silver Mercedes, on what was quite a busy afternoon.

“After the incident, Bove immediately sped off down Rock Street.

“He narrowly avoided a car travelling in the opposite direction, but left his number plate behind on the road, which led to his arrest.”

The motorcyclist, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “More than a year since the hit-and-run, we are both still suffering from our injuries and our mental state of mind.

“It has changed both mine and my girlfriend’s way of life, and even our day-to-day activities are affected.

“We have lost out on our hobbies such as swimming, long walks and motorcycle rides.

“It has also put pressure on our relationship.

“Bove showed no remorse, leaving the scene of the collision without a care in the world.

“We could have been dead or at least dying, and he wouldn’t even have known the consequences of his actions.

“He hit us off the bike on purpose to hurt us, and he achieved his goal.

“In doing so, he has jeopardised his own time and life with his own family, and his own business.”

Bove owns Italian restaurant Zafferelli which has a one star (out of five) hygiene rating.

Zafferelli describes itself as Italian restaurant featuring provincial and Mediterranean specialities.

On Tripadvisor it is ranked 231st out of 884 in Brighton and Hove.