A ROAD-RAGE driver has been banned and will lose his computer business after his motoring madness was exposed.

The normally timid Michael Watson, a computer engineer, had earlier been found guilty of road rage outbursts in his BMW estate.

He was banned from driving for 12 months yesterday.

Watson, of Darras Hall estate, in Ponteland, Northumberland, had been making a success of his one-man computer engineering business, which required him to spend hours on the road.

Watson was spared jail, but will be forced to give up his work due to the driving disqualification.

Defence barrister Sean Routledge said Watson would consider moving abroad.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the 42-year-old had twice been involved in incidents with other motorists as he drove his BMW on North East roads. It ended with Watson forcing innocent motorist Stephen Bell and his father off the AI, on January 5 last year.

Angry at Watson's behaviour, the father and son got out of their car to confront him.

Mr Bell snr threatened to call the police, and his son tried to restrain Watson.

Watson claimed it was Mr Bell who was driving dangerously.

The court heard the incident followed two previous outbursts on other motorists.

Watson will have to sit an extended driving test after the ban, and was ordered to pay £1,800 costs.