Christopher Parker, 56, of Keddleston Road, Roundhay, bumped his Volvo into Robert Hill's BMW bike up to three times on Spen Lane in Leeds.

Parker was trying to bully Mr Hill out of the way, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Company director Mr Hill used his 43 years' experience of riding to stop his machine wobbling out of control, the jury was told.

Mr Hill, who was travelling at between 10 and 20mph, did not realise his bike had been struck and thought he may have driven over something in the road.

But the incident was spotted by police motorcyclist Sgt Neil Perkis who was riding behind both men and PCSO Stefan Rushworth, who was driving a Vauxhall Corsa on Spen Lane just before 8am on May 4 last year.

Sgt Perkis stopped Mr Hill and told him what he had witnessed and Parker was arrested and charged with dangerous driving.

Parker told PCSO Rushworth: "I'm in a hurry."

Parker denied dangerous driving but was fined £1,000 with £750 costs and banned for a year. He will also have to take an extended driving test when his ban ends.

Parker had been on his way to work as a support teacher at Crawshaw School in Pudsey when the incident happened.

Prosecutor, Mehran Nassiri said Sgt Perkis saw Mr Hill turn round to wave his arms at Parker.

Mr Nassiri said: "(Sgt Perkis] saw the defendant driving too close behind Mr Hill and said he saw Mr Hill turn around and wave his arm on two separate occasions.

"The Crown accepts (Parker] is a respectable family man, he has never been in trouble, but road rage is emanated from people from all walks of life. They don't have to be criminals to commit road rage."

Mr Nassiri added: "(Parker] drives into the back of the panniers three times. It's like a bullying tactic."

Judge James Barry told Parker it was a "piece of monumentally bad driving."

The court heard character witnesses describe Parker as "good humoured, calm and patient".