AN ENRAGED driver carried out a “Ben Hur-style chariot race” on the A127 before drawing a baseball bat and attacking a man.

Ben Brown, 38, has been jailed after he fractured his victim’s wrist and ankle in a vicious attack near Basildon on the A127.

He had spotted his victim having an argument with another driver at an Esso garage on the eastbound carriageway, and then followed him on the A127.

After travelling alongside the driver, Brown was verbally abused, and the two cars collided slightly. The drivers then pulled onto the slip road near the Halfway House, which is when Brown launched his attack.

Prosecuting at Southend Crown Court, Paul Valder said: “The victim got out to speak to the defendant and when he did so, the defendant reached inside his car and from the driver’s seat area produced an aluminium covered baseball bat, holding it in both hands.

“He [the victim] held up his right arm to protect his head and the bat struck his right forearm. He ran to the rear of his van and the defendant gave chase and hit him a further two times while holding the bat in both hands. The blows were described as full force.

“He thought the defendant was trying to kill him. He began to scramble up the bank to the Halfway House. The defendant struck him again on the ankle on the left leg.”

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Mr Valder said the attack was witnessed by three women in another car who were blocked from the sliproad, and despite them telling him to stop, Brown said “it’s his fault” before damaging the victim’s van and driving off.

Mr Valder said the man was struck around five or six times, and was left suffering with mental and physical health.

Brown, of Freemantle Close, South Woodham Ferrers, admitted charges of causing grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon. The court heard he was deeply remorseful and was keen to pay compensation to the victim.

Judge Andrew Hurst told Brown: “The argument [at the Esso garage] became verbal and a little bit physical but it ended without escalation and he made off, and you followed him and alongside him in the outside lane of a Ben Hur chariot style race, but you were only going 25 to 30 miles an hour.”

Despite requests by mitigation for a suspended sentence, Judge Hurst jailed Brown for two years, saying there “has to be a deterrent” for Brown’s behaviour.