A motorist who punched a senior Eastbourne council official in the face during an unprovoked road rage attack is facing jail.

Anthony Webster became impatient when he was held up in a line of traffic caused by road repairs and he moved bollards put up to protect workers.

He then hit Andy Jefferies, 63 - clerk of works at the borough council, who was supervising the operation - knocking his glasses off.

Webster, of St Mary's Avenue, Hailsham, admitted a charge of common assault when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard the 57-year-old, who uses a crutch, accepted he had punched Mr Jefferies or given him a heavy shove.

Council workmen were carrying out resurfacing work at a roundabout by the junction of Seaside and Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, at about 10.30pm on June 17, 2002, when Mr Jefferies noticed Webster's car had ignored the stop sign and had driven past a queue of waiting vehicles.

The defendant told Mr Jefferies he could not hold up the traffic for more than ten minutes without a road closure order so he got out of the car and started moving the traffic cones.

When Mr Jefferies started taking his vehicle registration, Webster got back into his car and moved forward so the front bumper pressed against Mr Jefferies' leg.

He lost his balance and, as he attempted to steady himself, knocked the door mirror on Webster's car, causing it to fold back.

The defendant immediately got out of the car, confronted Mr Jefferies and hit him in the face.

Webster drove off but was later arrested. He told police he was in a hurry to get home as he needed to take medication for his heart condition.

After the hearing, PC Richard Fuller said: "This was a particularly nasty case of road rage. Mr Webster became abusive to Mr Jefferies, he threatened him and assaulted him.

"It was an unprovoked attack and it could have been much worse."

He said Mr Jefferies was still receiving treatment for the affects of the assault.

Judge Guy Anthony said: "This is an incident caused by impatience. The courts make it perfectly plain this behaviour is not acceptable."

He told Webster all sentencing options would be considered, including custody.

The case was adjourned until March 10 for sentence and Webster was released on bail.