A driver was beaten up and spat at while stopped at traffic lights on the A41 in Bushey.

The driver and passengers of a silver Volkswagen Golf launched the long assault after the victim flashed his headlights to make them aware they were driving dangerously.

The incident, only today revealed by the police, took place between 6.30 and 6.45pm last Friday by the McDonalds restaurant and Sandy Lane.

It started with the rear passenger of the Golf throwing a can at the victim’s car.

The man then spat at the victim through the window before his driver pulled off into Sandy Lane so the three offenders could return to cause more damage by foot.

The 43-year-old victim from Bushey was punched four times in the face while his car was still stationery leaving him with bruising and cuts.

The offenders drove off in the Golf, thought to have FL08 in its number plate.

The first suspect, the driver, is described as a white man of stocky build, aged about 20 to 24 and about 5ft 7ins tall. He had dark brown short spiked hair and a muscular appearance.

The second suspect, the rear passenger, is described as a white man aged 17 to 21 and of stocky build.

The third suspect, the front seat passenger, was a white man of medium build, short dark brown spiked hair and about 5ft 9ins tall. He was wearing a black of blue ‘Henleys’ t-shirt.

PC Charlie Thorogood from intervention and response, investigating, said: “This is a busy road and someone else may have seen something at the time or have some information.

“In particular, there was a man in a white van at the scene who stopped to say he had witnessed the incident, but due to traffic had to leave.”

People with information are asked to telephone PC Thorogood on 0845 33 00 222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.