A violent road rage incident left one victis with a chipped tooth and another with a smashed car door, it emerged today.

Dented - Neil Thompson shows the car door Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

The trouble erupted after Neil Thompson, 18, of Albert Road, Benfleet, was driving around Rayleigh Weir roundabout with his friend, Robert Clements, 17, of Church Road, Benfleet in the passenger seat.

Neil said: "I was just in the middle lane ready to go left on to the A127 towards London, and had just passed the junction that goes to Hadleigh.

"This woman driver in a silver Corsa was getting a bit close to my side. I looked at her but she didn't seem to know I was there so gave her a beep and she started cursing and swearing.

"Then we were stuck at the traffic lights so her passenger, a bloke, got out and kicked the passenger door so hard that the window smashed.

"Then he punched my friend in the face. He ended up with a chipped tooth."

The incident happened at 7pm on Friday night. Call police on 01268 775533.

Published Tuesday November 18, 2003

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