A scaffolder who pushed a parking warden through a hedge has been fined and ordered to pay his victim compensation.

Andrew Berwick was furious when parking attendant Jacob McHale started writing out the ticket for his green BMW he had left on double-yellow lines in Brighton last November.

Berwick was using his own car for his scaffolding business after his truck was stolen.

He had parked it in Buckingham Place to meet his partner up some scaffolding when Mr McHale spotted the illegally-parked car and began issuing a ticket.

Berwick saw Mr McHale and shouted down from the scaffolding, demanding five minutes to move his car.

But Brighton magistrates heard yesterday Mr McHale, who was employed by NCP on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council, told Berwick he would only have as long as it took to issue a ticket.

Berwick descended the scaffolding and told Mr McHale he would "shove the ticket up your ****" if it was issued.

Berwick, 31, of Fairlight Avenue, Telscombe Cliffs, warned Mr McHale not to touch his vehicle.

Berwick told the court Mr McHale then slammed his hands down on the vehicle and said: "It doesn't look like you've done anything," which Berwick said was like saying he had not carried out his threat.

The court heard Berwick suddenly pushed Mr McHale in the chest causing him to stumble backwards and drop his ticketing computer. He was pushed again and fell through a hedge.

Mr McHale told the court he touched the vehicle to inspect the tax disc.

Sara-Lise Howe, defending Berwick, said: "Mr Berwick felt very unfairly treated by the traffic warden. He saw red and pushed him, but now accepts he should never have pushed him."

Berwick was fined £500 and ordered to pay Mr McHale £100 compensation. He was ordered to pay £69 court costs.