A white van driver subjected a cyclist to “mindless violence” in a road rage attack.

David Cowell, 39, punched Paul Rothery three times in the face, kicked him in the legs and gouged at his eyes, Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday.

Prosecutor Philip Adams said Mr Rothery, a mechanic, was cycling to work when Cowell pulled alongside and waved his arms at him.

When they stopped at a junction, Cowell got out of his van and attacked Mr Rothery, who suffered a broken nose, a chipped tooth and scratches to his face and subsequently had to have physiotherapy.

Judge John Potter told Cowell: “Your behaviour exhibited a significant loss of self control, which proceeded towards mindless violence in what was a sustained attack.”

The judge said it was a road rage incident, which happened after the cyclist swerved to avoid an obstacle.

The incident happened in King’s Road, Bradford, at 7.20am on October 3 last year.

Cowell, of Leyfleaks Road, Idle, Bradford, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

The court heard Cowell had been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in 2006 for kidnap and assault.

His barrister, David McGonigal, said Cowell had achieved a great deal since being released from prison.

His client was a motorbike enthusiast and had set up a road and dirt performance business with premises at Leeds Road, Shipley.

He had created an impressive website for the business and had overseas customers, including from Australia.

Cowell had a partner who is a dental practice manager, and they have two children. Mr McGonigal said his client often worked seven days a week and overwork could have caused his loss of temper.

Judge Potter said he had to consider whether Cowell’s “atrocious actions” had thrown away the significant rehabilitation he had impressively undertaken since his release from custody.

The judge added that Cowell’s guilty plea had saved him from immediate custody.

Cowell was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, with supervision, a medium activity requirement and an electronically-monitored six-month curfew.

Cowell was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Rothery.