A CYCLIST who 'shoved an OAP and grabbed her by the throat' has been given a suspended prison sentence for the attack.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the victim, who is in her 70s, was walking her dog in Church Road, Ferndown on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 4 when the incident took place.

She challenged a man who was cycling on the pavement when he stopped, got off his bike and shouted at her. Police investigating the attack said he then pushed her and grabbed her by the throat before shoving her backwards.

Members of the public came to the aid of the victim. One woman followed the cyclist, who left the scene and went to KFC in Ringwood Road.

The witness took photographs of the man and shared them with police.

Jonathan Ritchie, of Tamar Close in Ferndown, has now admitted assault by beating in connection with the incident. The 34-year-old was sentenced to 28 days in prison suspended for 12 months after magistrates in Poole called the attack "very frightening and distressing".

Ritchie, 34, must comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim, as well as fines and costs.

PC Austin Kinnane, of East Dorset Police, said the "nasty assault" was committed against a woman who was "simply taking her dog for a walk".

"While it is fortunate she only sustained minor bruising in terms of physical injuries, the psychological impact is understandably far more significant," he said.

During the same court appearance, Ritchie admitted drink driving. He was stopped in Barns Road, Ferndown on August 2, and had 142 micrograms of alcohol in breath - more than four times the drink-drive limit. He was fined £180 for the second offence and banned from the roads for 18 months.