AN irate father admitted using threatening behaviour towards another motorist after a bout of road rage.

John McDonald was driving with his daughter in the car when he says he was “rammed” by Peter Hare in Welshpool on February 12 this year.

McDonald complained to the police, but the 43-year-old ended up appearing at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court himself this week to plead guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said: “The incident was extensive. The defendant said the victim rammed into his van.

“The incident reported to police by the defendant and it was put to the victim about the collision, to which he said if he did make contact it was only slight.

“Peter Hare has been investigated and reported and the matter has been dealt with.”

Mrs Tench said Mr Hare accused McDonald of being aggressive towards him and swearing at him.

McDonald, a tree surgeon, of Foundry Lane, Welshpool, represented himself at the hearing and said: “He rammed into me and I had my daughter in the van.

“The police have CCTV footage of the incident and it shows him ramming into my vehicle; the police said he shouldn’t have done that.

“I admit I did lose my temper. What am I supposed to do, let him ram his vehicle into me and not say or do anything?”

Magistrates fined McDonald £513 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £51 surcharge. They did not order any compensation because they felt it would aggravate the matter.