A motorist who punched an Eastbourne council worker in frustration after getting stuck in a traffic jam has been spared a jail sentence.

A judge ruled that although the road rage attack merited a spell in prison, exceptional circumstances meant Anthony Webster, 57, should walk free.

Judge Anthony Niblett sentenced Webster to four months in jail but suspended it, praising the single parent's upbringing of his handicapped son.

Webster had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Eastbourne Borough Council employee Andy Jefferies, 63, who was supervising road resurfacing work at a roundabout in the town in June 2002.

Webster, of St Mary's Avenue, Hailsham, had become impatient after being held up in a queue of traffic for half an hour.

He ignored a stop sign and drove past the queue of waiting vehicles before stopping, getting out and throwing traffic cones out of the way.

When Mr Jefferies started taking down his registration, Webster got back in his car and moved forward so the front bumper pressed against Mr Jefferies' leg.

The council worker lost his balance and knocked the wing mirror on Webster's car as he attempted to steady himself.

Webster got out of the car, confronted Mr Jefferies and hit him in the face before driving off.

He told police he was in a hurry to get home as he needed to take his medication for a heart condition.

A crown court hearing in Brighton, yesterday, heard Webster had hit out after Mr Jefferies spotted his walking stick and called him a "handicapped w****r".

Michael Harrison, defending, said: "This is not mentioned by Mr Jefferies and the other witnesses were in their cars but plainly it had an unfortunate effect.

"The combination of the waiting and what was said and Mr Jefferies putting a glove with tar on it down the side of his car may have triggered this.

"This was a one-off incident, born of frustration and, perhaps, a degree of provocation and is most unlikely to happen again."

The judge called Webster's behaviour unacceptable but said he was imposing a suspended sentence in light of his poor health and dedication to bringing up his 18-year-old son.

The court heard Webster suffered from angina, asthma, arthritis and rheumatism.

The judge told Webster: "This was a serious incident involving an assault on a public servant who was doing his job.

"You are deserving of considerable credit for turning your life round and bringing up your son so well he is a credit to you.

"You have expressed remorse for your actions."

He sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered him to pay Mr Jefferies compensation of £200 and court costs of £100.

Eastbourne Borough Council declined to comment.