Road rage attacker Michael Lear, who beat up another motorist and wrecked his car, has been freed by a Gloucester Crown Court judge.

Lear, 35, of Russett Way, Newent, was told by Judge Ian Lawrie KC on Tuesday (March 28) that his aggressive behaviour and drug driving on April 28, 2022, merited an immediate jail term.

But, the judge said, he was prepared to give Lear a chance to tackle his post-traumatic stress disorder - which dates back to his abusive childhood - and make amends for his actions.

Judge Lawrie sentenced Lear to a two year community order with 20 rehabilitation activity days to teach him how to manage his aggression. He also ordered Lear to pay the assault victim, Callum Wisdom, £500 compensation. Lear was also fined £50 and must pay a £95 surcharge.

Lear admitted driving a Ford Fiesta dangerously on Bristol Road, Gloucester, on April 28, 2022, and driving with an excess level of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (a product of cannabis) in his blood on the same occasion.

He was also charged with assaulting Callum Wisdom causing him actual bodily harm in Bristol road on the same date, and assaulting police constables Laurie Merchant and Jack Lane in the exercise of their functions.

Prosecutor James Haskell said that at 7.30pm on April 28, Mr Wisdom was driving a BMW towards Quedgeley when he became aware of Lear's Fiesta close behind him.

"It seemed to be travelling very fast," said Mr Haskell. "It overtook Mr Wisdom and then was deliberately braking, causing Mr Wisdom to have to apply his brakes.

"Mr Lear says he could see the defendant gesticulating towards him.

"He saw the defendant's car then speed away and go through red traffic lights.

"The vehicle then swerved and collided with his car.

"Mr Wisdom pulled over and saw the defendant shouting. The defendant then became aggressive and threw a number of punches at Mr Wisdom.

"All this was seen by various members of the public.

"Mr Wisdom's car was written off. He had to pay a £650 insurance excess and £300 for another car so it has had a significant impact on him, leaving him £950 out of pocket.

"He says the aggression of Lear made him feel nervous."

Mr Haskell said both men were breath tested by police and were negative. However, Lear became aggressive with police when they asked him to do a drug swipe test and he kicked Pc Merchant in the shin.

Lear was then taken to hospital and gave a positive drug test. He was almost twice over the legal driving limit for THC.

Simon Kitchen, defending, said Lear is currently unemployed and on medication for his PTSD.

His prescription had been changed from Venlafaxine to Citalopram at the time of the offences and Lear felt this may have contributed to his behaviour because it did not work so well, said Mr Kitchen.

The judge said the offences crossed the custody threshold but he accepted that Lear had a number of issues 'to clear up and sort out.'

Mr Kitchen agreed: "This all goes back to his childhood. He had an abusive father and was sexually abused as a child.

"With his family's help and support he is now turning his life around and is challenging those traumas."

Judge Lawrie told Lear: "You have a lot of problems you need to sort out and I want to give you every encouragement and support in doing so. "

The judge said the reason for the community order and requirements he was imposing on Lear was to 'make your life a bit better, make you a happier person, and stop you coming up in front of me.'

He ordered Lear to attend court on May 9, for a judicial review of his progress.

"We will discuss how things are going and what you are doing," said Judge Lawrie. "It's all part of the support system to ensure it's working.

"These were offences which merited imprisonment. If you squander this opportunity to sort out your life, I will send you straight to prison."