A VIOLENT thug threatened a terrified driver with a broken bottle following a dispute over a van.

Martin Alder smashed a glass bottle on the floor before lunging towards his victim after refusing to back his car down a residential street in Southampton.

While on bail, he then committed two further offences for battering a neighbour and spitting at an officer in unprovoked attacks.

Sentencing Alder to three years and six months imprisonment, Judge Nicholas Rowland described the 30-year-old as an "extremely volatile" criminal whose actions could have had "grave consequences" for his victims.

Southampton Crown Court was told Alder had a long and extensive history of violence, including one episode where he strangled a woman until she passed out in front of her 14-year-old son.

Moments later, the court heard, how he then returned to video the victim as he aimed more abusive language at her.

Prosecutor Michael Mason said in February last year, Alder became involved in an argument with a van driver as he was unable to get past him on the road.

Becoming angry, Alder then grabbed a bottle from his car before threatening to strike the driver in front of other members of the public, Mr Mason told the court.

Judge Rowland said the victim would have been left "terrified" after facing the "prospect of serious injury".

It was the third time Alder had been convicted of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

Months later and while being investigated for the threats, Alder then punched his neighbour's cheek and stamped on her foot, claiming she was making too much noise in the flat below on Cumberland Place.

John Bryant, mitigating, explained Alder's actions were the result of abuse he received from his father while growing up.

Alder, who raged after receiving his sentence, denied threatening with an offensive weapon, battery and causing actual bodily harm but was convicted at trial.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting a constable.