An accountant punched a cycling protester after their demonstration blocked a road junction.

Christikas Zantis, 54, got out of his Mercedes and confronted Critical Mass cyclists last September.

He was found guilty of assaulting two women and breaking a pair of spectacles after a two-day trial at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

The protest took place on September 30 last year, when Critical Mass held its monthly ride through Brighton to promote cycling and cyclists’ rights.

The group turned onto Marine Parade from Lower Rock Gardens, with a speaker playing the song Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones – the theme from the Austin Powers films.

They paused at the Palace Pier roundabout. Zantis was in a queue of cars behind them, with his wife in the car.

Presiding magistrate David Foulds said: “A witness described how it was a period of utter and complete frustration because the cars were unable to pass the cyclists.

"Mr Zantis admits he and his wife were angry and frustrated. He got out of the car shouting and swearing.”

Cyclists said they were pushed off their bikes. One woman stumbled after she was pushed.

When another woman tried to take Zantis’s photograph on her mobile phone, she was punched and her glasses were thrown into the street, where a car ran over them. A video was posted on internet site YouTube showing part of the confrontation.

Zantis, of Little Crescent, Rottingdean, was found guilty on all counts.

Ed Fish, defending, said: “The convictions are the most significant punishment. It could well have an effect on his work. It means he loses his good character and this is clearly an important thing for him.”

Zantis was fined £1,250 for the assaults. He also imposed £100 compensation for the glasses and £1,100 court costs.