An "absolute idiot" has been jailed for six months for a prolonged road rage incident that caused a car to spin out of control.

Jonathan Mountjoy, aged 31, took offence to another driver flashing his headlights after Mountjoy cut him up as he pulled away from a roundabout in Cross Hands.

There followed miles of "terrifying" driving along the A48 which began with Mountjoy slowing his Ford Focus to almost a stop forcing Mathew Thompson to slow down his silver Volkswagen Golf.

Carina Hughes, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court that as Mr Thompson pulled out into the overtaking lane Mountjoy did the same to prevent him from getting past.

That continued for several miles and at one stage a passenger in Mountjoy's car shone a flashlight into Mr Thompson's eyes.

Mountjoy sped away and then pulled onto the hard shoulder. As Mr Thompson approached he suddenly shot out, causing Mr Thompson to brake so sharply the Golf spun round and ended up facing in the wrong direction.

Miss Hughes said the driving had been witnessed by two men in a van who telephoned the police and Mountjoy was arrested later the same day, October 1, 2016.

Mountjoy's barrister, John Hipkin, said he accepted it was a bad piece of driving. He had been involved in a custody battle at the time.

Judge Peter Heywood said Mountjoy had played "silly buggers."

"You cut him up at half a car's length and when he flashed his headlights to warn you he was there you took exception.

"Like an absolute idiot you hit the brakes. And there was another idiot in your car with a flashlight," he added.

Mountjoy, of Forest View, Pontypridd, was jailed for six months and banned from driving for 15 months. He was also ordered to pass an extended driving test before getting his licence returned.