A court has heard how a Bristol driver who knocked a cyclist from his bike chased after him brandishing a metal bar – with the entire episode witnessed by police officers in a vehicle behind.

Mark Bray, aged 37, initially told police he had swerved to avoid hitting a cat but later claimed that the cyclist had pulled out in front of him, reports the Bristol Evening Post.

He added that he had not realised he had driven into the bike, but admitted having chased the cyclist with a metal bar in his hand.

Bray pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to careless driving and possession of an offensive weapon in relation to the incident which took place in Lower Knowle in September 2015.

He had been spotted veering off the road by police constables Andrew Simpson and Robert Brown, who subsequently realised he had struck the cyclist, who ran off and subsequently declined to assist police, according to Alistair Haggerty, prosecuting.

Robert Morgan-Jones, defending Bray, said that the motorist had seen the cyclist approaching from the left but believed he would stop. When he didn’t, Bray panicked and veered onto the pavement.

He added that his client acknowledged his driving had been careless and that he should not have chased after the cyclist.

Bray was given a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to attend a thinking skills course.

He was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 towards the prosecution’s costs, and had his driving licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Recorder James Townsend told him: “Road rage is a menace and can lead to people becoming involved in quite significant violence.

“You’re a man who has a record which suggests you have a problem with your anger and a tendency to resort to violence.

“But you pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity. You are in employment and you have been honest with your employer,” he added.