A ROAD-rage businessman whose actions led to another motorist reversing down a motorway to escape him has been banned from driving.

Mechanical engineer Richard Anthony Cromarty, 40, tried to force a Honda Civic to stop on the A1(M ), near Durham City, by driving in front of it, causing other traffic to halt.

After forcing the car to stop on the hard shoulder, Cromarty got out of his Alfa Romeo and tried to open the Civic's door, shouting threats at the driver.

Eventually, the frightened Civic driver had to reverse on the hard shoulder to escape.

At Durham Crown Court yesterday, Cromarty admitted causing a fear of violence, plus driving without insurance.

Judge Tony Lancaster imposed a fine of £550 and disqualified Cromarty, of Askrigg Avenue, Grangetown, Sunderland, from driving for three months.

He told him: "It would be wrong for me not to disqualify you, as it would send out the wrong message to anyone inclined to drive in the way you did on that day."

The court heard Cromarty lost his temper after the Civic pulled into the outside lane of the A690 at Rainton Gate, near Durham City, blocking his path, on Saturday, May 7, last year.

Cromarty claimed the manoeuvre forced him to swerve into the central reservation, damaging the bodywork of his car.

He pursued the Civic, at one point trying to "undertake", before making three attempts to force it to stop, including two after it joined the A1(M) at the Carrville interchange.

Cromarty drove in front of the Civic, forcing the driver and other following vehicles to stop on the hard shoulder.

He got out of his car, and tried to open the door of the Civic, shouting threats at the driver, who was making an emergency call to police.

Chris Williamson, prosecuting, said the call was recorded by the control room and Cromarty could be heard shouting at the driver.

The frightened motorist had to reverse along the hard shoulder before being able to make his getaway.

Jamie Adams, for Cromarty, said he merely wanted to speak to the driver to exchange details, but accepted he lost his temper when the man refused to stop.

Mr Adams said a driving ban would cause "immense difficulty" for the self-employed mechanical engineer.