A driver who launched a verbal road-rage attack on a woman who overtook him was fined £800 by magistrates.

Kevin Kiernan, 33, admitted careless driving and using threatening and abusive behaviour in Kidlington on July 8.

Jenny Jonckheer, prosecuting, said Kiernan followed the woman as she turned off the A34 at Kidlington and was "very close to her bumper" in his red Nissan Micra.

She added: "She could see that the defendant appeared to be mouthing something to her and he appeared to be angry."

When they reached Kidlington, Kiernan drove the wrong side of a bollard to pull across in front of the woman and stop. "He approached her to wind down her window and, in her words, was ranting and raving," said Ms Jonckheer. She added that the woman, in her thirties, had to receive counselling to get over the shock. Jim Astle, defending, said: "My client's version of events are different. He realises he behaved foolishly."

Kiernan, of Priory Lane, Bicester, claimed the woman overtook him in a dangerous place.

He was ordered to pay a total of £800 and given five points on his licence. He will also pay £40 costs.

Story date: Tuesday 23 February

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