A martial arts fighter unleashed a flurry of blows at an off-duty police officer in a road rage incident, a court heard.

Jamie Saunders, who is known as The Gusher in Mixed Martial Arts bouts, saw red when Adrian Hutton got out of his car to speak to him.

The muscular father-of-three then struck the victim about 10 times "in a manner described as a professional fighter", breaking his nose.

Jamie Saunders has been sentenced

When Mr Hutton's wife Pollyanna tried to intervene, 6ft tall Saunders grabbed her by the throat and pushed her away.

Their five-year-old daughter, who was also in the car, was left traumatised by the violence, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

But Saunders, who runs Trojan Tree Care in Sevenoaks, walked free after a judge found there were exceptional circumstances for suspending a prison sentence.

The 37-year-old, of High Street, Seal, was given six months suspended for 18 months with 60 hours unpaid work.

A 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement addressing “responsibility and addressing situations” was ordered. He will have to pay his victim £500 compensation.

The couple and their child were on their way to a wedding when the attack happened on August 12 last year.

Mrs Hutton was driving on Tinker Pot Lane in West Kingsdown, which was too narrow for cars to pass. Saunders was immediately behind.

Prosecutor Edmund Blackman said Mrs Hutton wanted to reverse to a passing point as there was a car coming in the opposite director, but Saunders was reluctant to back up.

“It was a hot day and the car windows were down,” he said. “They could hear the defendant shouting. Mr Hutton got out to ask him to reverse.

“At that point, the defendant got out of his car and proceeded to launch a flurry of punches directed at Mr Hutton – in the region of 10 punches to the head and upper body.

“The punches were delivered in a manner described as a professional fighter. He had no chance to defend himself. His glasses were broken.

Maidstone Crown Court

“His wife got out of the car to go to his rescue. The defendant grabbed her by the throat and hand and pushed her away. He then renewed his assault on Mr Hutton.

“What appears to have stopped the assault was their five-year-old bursting into tears and the defendant coming to his senses.

“Mr Hutton produced his warrant card, as he was an off-duty police officer and informed him of that fact.”

They continued on to the wedding venue and called the police. Mr Hutton was treated in hospital for the nose fracture and bruising.

Saunders, who has featured on the BBC Gardener’s World programme and describes himself as an actor, extra and model, claimed he threw a punch because he anticipated he was about to be hit by the victim, but then acted excessively.

He admitted assault causing actual bodily harm to Mr Hutton and common assault on his wife.

Mr Blackman said Mr Hutton described the attack as frenzied. “Despite being an experienced police officer of 10 years, it took him by surprise and had no time to defend himself,” he said.

“He described his attacker as being trained in combat. The incident left him scared with a broken nose. His vision was blurred in his left eye. He had random headaches and a scar above his eye socket which was painful to touch.”

The couple’s daughter suffered emotional difficulties from witnessing the assault and was referred for trauma counselling.

Danny Moore, defending, said: “The victim, a large man, made the decision to get out of the car. That is an indicator of something. In the heat of battle, as it were, there were several blows.”

Judge Philip St John-Stevens told Saunders, whose children live with his ex-partner: “This was a sustained assault in the context of actual bodily harm. I accept there was a degree of provocation and excessive self-defence.

“What has been described as road rage is unpleasant and cannot be tolerated by the court. That clearly is an aggravating feature in the context of this offence.”

The judge said a probation report on Saunders showed he appreciated the effect on the victims and the young child.

“I have considered whether there are exceptional circumstances, bearing in mind your position as a father and your reaction to it,” he added.

“In my judgement, there are exceptional circumstances where a custodial sentence need not be immediate. I am sure, standing there, you appreciate the effect on that family.”