This is the shocking moment a traffic warden was whacked across the head with his radio by builders following a dispute over a parking ticket.

Video footage captured on the phone of a passer-by shows the builders racing up to the officer shortly after he issued a ticket to a van parked in Agincourt Road, Hampstead.

Two of the topless builders can be seen launching a volley of punches and kicks onto the victim until he falls to the ground.

The thugs walk away as the warden, dressed in official uniform, looks disorientated and scoops up the radio from the pavement.

He was able to get help from the police and London Ambulance Service after pressing a panic button on the machine.

The 45-year-old, whose name has not been revealed, was treated at the Royal Free Hospital for facial bruising and a head injury after the attack. He also needed six weeks off work and still suffers from blurred vision.

The father-of-three told the Ham & High: “I had issued a ticket to the van when one of the men started arguing and hit me on my chest. Then the other two arrived and joined in. They were kicking and punching me and one of them hit me on the head with my radio.”

Kevin Lee Ritchie, 36, was given a three-month jail sentence, suspended for six months and ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.

Shaun Ritchie, 28, and Loon Cuong Chu, 27, were ordered to do 180 hours of community service.

They were each ordered to pay compensation and court costs adding up to £1,320.

Camden Council's parking enforcement team said the incident last September was one of five serious physical assaults on traffic wardens in the area last year.

Paolo Orezzi, NSL manager, told the Evening Standard: “I hope this sends a strong message to motorists, who react violently towards our CEOs that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. Our CEOs are just trying to do their job. I’m glad justice has been served."

Dr Belinda Webb-Blofeld, of NSL, said: "Our colleague was simply doing his job - an essential job that helps keep parking safe and fair for everyone throughout the borough of Camden; to be attacked in such a vicious manner by a group of builders is beyond disgraceful.

"Both NSL and the London Borough of Camden will always push for prosecution and the maximum penalties available. Thankfully, in the relatively few instances where traffic wardens are attacked, we are seeing the courts take a zero tolerance approach."