A Suffolk van driver punched and kicked another van driver before driving at him with such force that he ended up in a ditch, it has been alleged.

Simon Farmer, who lives in Lower Hacheston, was waiting to reverse his Mercedes into his drive when he became aware of a van driven by Guy Clements behind him, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Oncoming traffic meant Clements was held up and when he did overtake he allegedly pulled alongside Mr Farmer and waved and gesticulated at him, said Charles Kellett, prosecuting.

Clements had then allegedly got out of his van and approached Mr Farmer and punched him in the head and face.

Mr Farmer got out of his vehicle and was then allegedly kicked in the crotch by Clements.

Clements allegedly got back in his van and thinking he was going to drive off Mr Farmer had stood in front of the van “ making it plain he wanted him to stop”, said Mr Kellett.

“The defendant came forward and collided with Mr Farmer with sufficient force to knock him on to the other side of the road into the ditch and drive off,” said Mr Kellett.

The court heard that as a result of the alleged incident Mr Farmer suffered swelling and a cut to his lip, bruising over his eyebrow and a cut to his finger.

The police and ambulance service were contacted and officers took pictures of Mr Farmer’s injuries.

A witness took Clements’ registration number and he was later arrested.

During police interviews he denied the allegations and claimed that Mr Farmer had been the aggressor.

He claimed Mr Farmer had gone for him and he had acted to protect himself and his partner, who was a passenger in his van.

Clements, 55, of Worlingworth Road, Athelington, Eye has denied dangerous driving and assaulting Mr Farmer causing him actual bodily harm on January 17 2016.

Giving evidence Mr Farmer told the court he regularly drove in London and he wasn’t particularly frightened when Clements pulled up alongside him at the start of the alleged incident.

He described Clements as being “incredibly aggressive” and denied a suggestion from Joe Bird, defending, that he had got out out of his van to confront Clements and “have it out with him”.

The trial continues tomorrow (Tuesday).