A MOTORIST tailgated another driver while waving an eight-inch bayonet on the A34.

David Wyatt, of Retreat Gardens, Crowmarsh Gifford, was driving a white Mercedes sprinter van on the slip road at the Milton interchange when he undertook Alan Turner who was driving a Volvo.

Tyre fitter Wyatt, 56, admitted possessing the bayonet in a public place on September 26 at the A34 near Drayton and was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday.

Hugh Williams, prosecuting, said: “The van slammed the brakes on and reduced the speed to 25mph.

“Mr Turner overtook the van, as he did so he swore at the defendant making rude signs to his left.

“Mr Wyatt said he heard Mr Turner swear at him.

“Mr Turner says Mr Wyatt produced a long knife, a bayonet, and waved it. Mr Turner got in front, followed by Mr Wyatt tailgating Mr Turner waving a knife.”

The pair pulled into a lay-by and spoke to a Highways Agency officer, who called the police.

Wyatt admitted that he had the bayonet, saying he used it for work, and handed it over to the police.

Graham Bennett, defending, said: “He stopped at the lay-by to resolve the matter. He handed the knife across to the officer on request.

“It was never intended that it would be used to injure anybody.”

Sentencing, Judge Gordon Risius said Wyatt was in a state of “road rage” and added: “You were inside your vehicle throughout the time you were brandishing the knife, but you were in a state of road rage – the experience must have been terrifying for the other driver, given you kept your van close to his vehicle.”

Wyatt was given a three-month suspended sentence for two years, 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £300 costs.