A BUILDER wielded a baseball bat out the window of his van as he sped along a motorway.

Joshua McKenzie undertook a Vauxhall Corsa before swerving dangerously between lanes, forcing the driver of the hatchback to brake sharply.

As the Corsa tried to pass the van, the 36-year-old leaned out of his window and brandished a baseball bat.

The Corsa had been travelling in lane three at its restricted speed of 70mph – the national speed limit – when McKenzie approached in his van from behind.

The 36-year-old flashed his lights but the Corsa was initially unable to manoeuvre to lane two due to other traffic.

The incident happened on July 12 2017 and was captured on dash cam by the Corsa driver, who reported it via Operation Crackdown.

McKenzie, a building labourer, of Halton Road, Kenley, Surrey, was sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) but no reply was received.

Following further enquiries, he later confirmed he was aware of the incident, but he denied the allegations.

He eventually admitted the offence of dangerous driving, and at Lewes Crown Court on July 9 he was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and must pay a £140 victim surcharge.

McKenzie must take an extended re-test if he wants to drive again.

Sergeant Phil Badman, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “This is a clear case of dangerous, irresponsible and intimidating behaviour, and there is no place for such actions on our roads.

“Thankfully no one was hurt on this occasion, and we were able to bring the defendant to justice after the victim reported the incident to us via Operation Crackdown.

“Operation Crackdown is an online platform where you can report incidents of dangerous of antisocial driving. Each report will be fully investigated and, where necessary, we may pursue criminal proceedings.”