A MAN who was infuriated at finding his parking space occupied launched a "road rage" attack at the driver was behind the wheel.

Paul Bailey grabbed at Julian Aston as he moved the car from the space at Gresham Court, in Shrubbery Avenue, Worcester.

Droitwich magistrates were told Bailey was angry at returning home on Tuesday, July 24, to find Mr Aston had parked in the space designated for his flat.

"Mr Aston had been visiting his mother," said Mark Soper, prosecuting.

"There are private parking places and he was using one that belonged to the defendant.

"He was under the impression that the space wasn't used by the owner. He had visited several times before and had used the space when turning to get out.

"The defendant took exception to him using it and assaulted him.

"It was, essentially, road rage. Mr Aston was extremely scared and shaken."

The court heard Bailey grabbed Mr Aston around the neck in as assault that lasted five minutes.

The 27-year-old admitted assault.

"It's a city centre location and certainly parking is quite difficult at times during the day," said Richard Wilkes, defending.

"He lives with his fiance. The flat has a parking space clearly marked.

"He came home to find someone else had parked there. He was angry at having to park further down the road.

"Mr Bailey accepts that he assaulted Mr Aston, but there are two sides. The majority of the time it was a verbal argument that did go over the top.

"It certainly wasn't all one way. It became verbal on both sides.

"Mr Bailey has found this extremely distressing and worrying."

Magistrates fined Bailey £100 and ordered he pay £50 compensation. He was also ordered to pay £80 costs.