A SCHOOL bus driver was assaulted and squirted with CS spray when he became involved in a road-rage row with a jet-setting businessman.

Computer systems worker David McDonnell launched the attack after Colin Hunt remonstrated about his driving through a town.

Mr Hunt, 62, was walking home after the school run when he gestured to McDonnell because he believed he was speeding.

A court heard yesterday that McDonnell, 42, drove alongside Mr Hunt and the wing mirror of his car hit the bus driver's hand.

Khadim Al-Hassan, prosecuting, said McDonnell blamed Mr Hunt for the collision and demanded his name and address.

But when Mr Hunt refused to give his details, an argument started and McDonnell squirted the other man in the face with CS spray.

Witnesses to the fracas, in Stokesley, on November 6, said McDonnell punched Mr Hunt four times and may also have kicked or kneed him.

Police traced McDonnell a month later and found the spray cannister in the study of his home at Home Farm, Chopgate.

McDonnell told officers he bought two sprays while travelling around the world on business because he had suffered five burglaries.

Thomas Storey, in mitigation, said: "Having lived in Japan and continental Europe, they (CS sprays) are much more prevalent and much more widely available.

"He was not aware that they were illegal to possess in this country and he has never used them, save for this one incident."

McDonnell admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.

He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay Mr Hunt £1,000 in compensation and court costs of £204.

McDonnell, who has worked for the European Parliament and reached the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Territorial Army, was described by Mr Storey as "a fairly high-powered IT consultant".

Judge Tim Hewitt told him: "You have thrown away your good character on account of this very trivial incident in the street.

"You completely over-reacted to this situation, and there were other ways to deal with it, like calling the police, but you decided to take matters into your own hands."