AN angry motorist who rammed his car into another man while exchanging insurance details following a crash has been spared jail. 

Richard Dowling, 62, was handed a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years after he was found guilty of dangerous driving following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. 

The court heard that Dowling, of Rylands Lane, Weymouth, had been driving along Swannery Bridge on May 30 last year when he crashed into the back of another car. 

Both Dowling and the other motorists left their vehicles to swap insurance details at which point Dowling became aggressive, the court was told. 

During the trial jurors heard that Dowling told the other driver he “did not belong in this country.” 

The man then went back to his car to get his phone and began taking pictures of the damage. 

The court was told that at this point Dowling got back into his car and deliberately drove into his victim who stood by the side of the road. 

After hitting his victim Dowling made off at speed and drove to the police station where he intended to get his story across first. 

Prosecuting Richard Tuck said: “It escalated out of nothing, it should never have got to that stage.”

The victim suffered long-term injuries to his back and leg. 

Defending, David Jenkins, said Dowling had been distressed that day as he had just been to visit his terminally ill mother. 

He said: “His view always has been that he was cut up [on the road]. He has been driving since he was 17 and up until this time has never offended.

“This has hit him really hard, he is really embarrassed about being in court and in this position.”

Judge Peter Johnson said Dowling’s words must have been “incredibly offensive” directed towards a man who served in British Armed Forces for 17 years. 

Sentencing Dowling he said: “You told the jury you deplore racism and he was lying, but the jury found that you were the liar.

“You showed hostility towards him because of his race. 

“You have showed no genuine remorse what so ever.”

Dowling was also ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £500. 

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and will be required to take an extended test to regain his licence.