FORMER British champion boxer Julius Francis has been sentenced for a “stupid” road rage attack.

The 44-year-old punched a car window, spraying the driver with glass which caused minor injuries to his face.

Francis admitted criminal damage and common assault.

He was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £200 compensation to his victim.

The Croydon resident told Bromley Magistrates’ Court he felt provoked before the incident in Wickham Road, Beckenham, but it was a “stupid” thing to do.

He said: “This guy had cut me up on a roundabout and because I sounded my horn, he started braking and pulling away.”

The court heard Francis overtook the other car and prevented it turning into a side road.

The driver tried to reverse away but Francis got out of his car and punched his window.

Francis said: “I didn’t mean to smash his window. I got out to remonstrate with the guy. I flicked out my hand, I think it was my rings, that’s why the window smashed.

“I would like to apologise to the guy, it was very stupid of me.”

District Judge Paul Carr said: “What concerns me is this is road rage and the person concerned received some injuries, albeit slight.

“He clearly must have been frightened by what happened.

“That is a serious matter.”

Heavyweight Francis famously lasted just four minutes in the ring with Mike Tyson in 2000.

Speaking outside the court, Francis said: “I shouldn’t have done what I did, I shouldn’t have got out of my car.

“It’s not going to affect the work in the community I do. I don’t want people to think of me as a road rage or bully.

“Sometimes even when you are provoked, you have to count to 10, and that’s the best thing to do.”

- Francies has denied driving without insurance and driving while not in accordance with his licence. The driving charges will be dealt with on April 17.