A MOTORCYCLIST left a driver with a fractured finger after suffering "a classic example of road rage" in the New Forest.

Jacob Cranton grabbed at Peter Edwards' hand and with force, leaving his bone protruding out of his knuckle.

The 18-year-old flipped out at Mr Edwards because "he didn't feel safe" after he was overtaken by the Ford Fiesta on a cattle grid near the A326.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Cranton had initially overtaken Mr Edwards in the afternoon while driving along Beaulieu Road.

Prosecutor Rufus Taylor explained that as Cranton, who works lashing cars at Southampton Docks, slowed down to go over the cattle grid, Mr Edwards went past the then 17-year-old.

Mr Taylor said: "Cranton started screaming at Mr Edwards as he believed he was undertaken.

"He kicked out at the car and exchanged 'V' signs with him.

"Cranton got off his motorcycle and Mr Edwards stopped his car and he squared up to Mr Edwards...a nearby witness was heard saying 'gentleman let's stop this'."

He added: "The defendant then lunged and grabbed the victim's handed, which cause two fractures to Mr Edwards' little finger and the bone protruding out of his knife."

The court was told that after he was arrested, Cranton denied being aggressive or shouting at Mr Edwards but did admit causing him harm.

He told officers he "felt unsafe" after being "undertaken" by the driver.

Mitigating, Gemma White said that Cranton suffers with learning and mental health difficulties which makes him "act before he thinks".

She added: "It was not until he was arrested that he understood the level of injury he had caused.

"He does recognise that his behaviour was unacceptable."

Deputy Circuit Judge Ralls QC said the case was "a classic example of road rage".

Cranton of Southbourne Avenue, Holbury, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years.