A COMPANY director who “saw red” punched a bus driver in the face during a road rage row.

Lewis Matthews was driving his Subaru in Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, when he claims a single-decker Yellow Bus “veered” in front of him to get to a bus stop.

Matthews, 24, then drove in front of the bus as it pulled back out on the road before hitting his brakes sharply.

Driver Anthony Smith couldn’t stop in time and the bus, which was carrying passengers, ploughed into the back of the Subaru.

The defendant got out of his car and shouted a “torrent of abuse” at Mr Smith.

He then walked up to the driver’s open window and grabbed his victim’s head before punching him in the face a number of times.

Jason Spellman, prosecuting at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court, said Mr Smith attempted to force his thumb into Matthews’ eye in a bid to stop the attack.

The defendant then drove off, but stopped further down the road and called 999.

He admitted to police during interview that he had assaulted the driver, but later pleaded not guilty, claiming he had acted in self defence.

However, on the day of a planned trial at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court, Matthews - a company director and resident of New Barn Farm in Knowlton, Wimborne - admitted assault by beating and driving without due care and attention.

Leah Dillon, mitigating, said the defendant had “apologised again and again” for the attack, which left Mr Smith with pain to an ear and one of his forearms.

“This began at the traffic lights when the car was on the left hand side of the bus, in the nearside lane, and the bus was initially in the outside lane,” she said.

Mr Smith then ‘veered’ towards a bus stop before realising that there were no passengers waiting and pulling out again, Ms Dillon said.

“[Matthews] sped up to undertake so he wouldn’t be forced onto the kerb or into the bus stop,” she added.

“We accept that he could have driven away, but he put on his brakes and stopped.”

Matthews believed he had given the bus driver enough time to stop safely, the court heard.

“My client accepts he saw red,” Ms Dillon said.

“He is very, very sorry.

“He is appalled by it.

“He doesn’t behave in that manner.”

Mr Smith and passengers on the bus alleged that Matthews had a mobile phone in his hand while driving the Subaru.

However, this was denied by Matthews.

Ms Dillon said: “He was not using or holding his mobile phone.

“The defendant fully accepted shouting and gesticulating at the driver but says he was not using his mobile phone.”

Magistrates said Matthews, who has no previous convictions, had acted “completely out of character”.

The defendant was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work to complete, as well as six points on his driving licence.

He must also pay £200 in compensation to the victim, an £85 victim surcharge and costs of £325.