A road rage victim has spoken of her anger after police gave her attacker a fine of just £80.

The cyclist, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said she was punched on the shoulder, spat on and sworn at by a driver who snapped after being forced to slow down as she cycled up a narrow East Oxford street with her boyfriend.

The victim asked why police handed her attacker an £80 fine – the same punishment given for dropping a cigarette end – despite her telling officers she had been repeatedly punched.

Police spokesman Danny Donovan apologised to the woman and said officers would be reopening the investigation following an allegation of physical assault.

Insp Andy Storey said he had yet to speak to the officers concerned, but said he hoped the fine had not simply been issued because it was an easy way to solve the case.

The woman said she tapped on the driver’s window to point out she had right of way, and he responded by knocking her off balance with his door.

She said: “He became incredibly aggressive, swearing abuse at me and telling me it was not my right of way.

“I tried to remain calm and asked him to stop shouting, which led to the man spitting in my face and repeatedly punching me.”

Her boyfriend was also shoved by the driver’s passenger, she said.

The cyclist hailed a passing police car and officers arrested the man, although a police spokesman said the man was later “de-arrested”.

Describing the £80 fine as ‘pathetically small,’ she said: “I do feel it is in the public interest to know that there is a man out there who did not hesitate to attack a woman, and the fact that due to the poor judicial system currently in place in England, any person with a clean record and £80 to spare can behave in the same violent manner.

“I am outraged and horrified, not only at the unprovoked attack I was subjected to, but the insult of the punishment the police saw fit for the aggressive man.”

Mr Donovan confirmed a 31-year-old man was fined £80 for a public order offence on April 29 at 8.40pm after admitting shouting at a woman, calling her rude names and intimidating her.

He said: “We are sorry that the woman is not satisfied at the way this incident has been dealt with and will be doing everything we can to put it right.

"We have received a complaint about the outcome of the incident as initially the incident was not dealt with as an assault.

“It is now clear that there is an allegation of physical assault, and this has now been allocated to a senior officer to reopen the investigation.

“We will be contacting the victim, her boyfriend and any other independent witnesses to secure evidence and take further action.”