A dangerous driver who brandished a baseball bat out of his window on the motorway after undertaking a car has been banned from the roads for 12 months.

Joshua McKenzie, a building labourer, of Halton Road, Kenley, Surrey, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Lewes Crown Court and was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and must pay a £140 victim surcharge.

A Sussex Police spokesman said that McKenzie was filmed when he undertook a white Vauxhall Corsa in his blue Mercedes Sprinter van on the northbound carriageway of the M23.

He said: “He then braked sharply on numerous occasions and swerved between lanes, causing the victim to take evasive action and decrease its speed to 27mph. He also made a hand gesture and brandished a baseball bat.

“The Corsa had been travelling in lane three at its restricted speed of 70mph – the national speed limit – when McKenzie approached in his van from behind.

“The 36-year-old flashed his lights but the Corsa was initially unable to manoeuvre to lane two due to other traffic.”

Sergeant Phil Badman said: “This is a clear case of dangerous, irresponsible and intimidating behaviour, and there is no place for such actions on our roads.”