Angry motorist assaults cyclist

A cyclist was pushed off his bike and attacked by a motorist after overtaking cars at traffic lights.

The 22-year-old man was assaulted on Cheriton High Street, Kent, on his way to work on Thursday morning.

Police said the man was angry that the cyclist had overtaken his car at the Risborough Lane junction.

A few minutes later the cyclist was attacked and his thumb was broken. He was also punched in the face, kicked in the groin and chased along a footpath.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said a Vauxhall Astra had pulled alongside the cyclist after the traffic lights and a passenger shouted at him.

Surgery needed

The attack then happened at the junction of Coombe Road, where a man was waiting on the pavement.

The police spokesperson said: "As the cyclist passed he was pushed by the pedestrian who shouted at him, implying that he was getting his own back for cutting him up and he fell from his bike.

"He then started to throw punches at the cyclist."

The cyclist suffered cuts and bruises and will need surgery on his thumb.

Police have appealed for witnesses, particularly a woman who spoke to the cyclist and staff at a nearby shop, to contact them.