THE former editor of The Hartlepool Mail has called for a 'road rage' case he was involved in to be re-investigated after he was acquitted at court.

Harry Blackwood, 58, of High Hesleden, near Hartlepool, has also said he intends to take legal action against Cleveland Police after he was found not guilty of common assault and threatening behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Teesside Magistrates Court on Tuesday (June 2).

Cleveland Police has said Mr Blackwood's complaints will be investigated once correspondence has been received from the former Mail on Sunday journalist.

Mr Blackwood, a competitive cyclist since the age of 12, explained he was upset that he was investigated and charged but the motorist involved in the incident was not.

Mr Blackwood said in court that a driver of a Vauxhall Corsa had parked on Wolviston Road, a major dual carriageway through Billingham, in front of his £8,000 bike, and he was concerned he could have been hurt.

He made two 999 calls and a non-emergency 101 call to complain about the motorist and an independent witness also called police to complain.

He said: "I will be contacting my MP, Graeme Morris, and will also be in touch with the Chief Constable and the crime commissioner. I will, of course, be taking legal action against the police. I am calling for this whole incident to be reinvestigated in a proper manner."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "Once we receive correspondence from Mr Blackwood, his complaints will be fully investigated."