Sir, – On June 7 my wife, grandaughter and myself were on our way towards Deighton and we came across a group of cyclists. After two attempts to overtake them, one of them placed his bike in front of our car causing us to stop. He then came round to my side so I opened the window and he punched me in the face causing my nose to bleed and the onset of chest pains which was later found to be a heart attack.

The cyclist tried to run away and was arrested by the police. The assault meant a nine-day stay in hospital for me and also a ban from driving for 12 months because of my heart attack.

I was informed that because he had no previous convictions and had apologised to the police he was let off with a caution.

It would appear that if anyone has no previous convictions and apologises for committing an assault they will only get a caution.

No wonder offenders are laughing at these stupid laws – and why were my injuries not more investigated before giving this man a caution?

This man has brought shame and discredit to every decent cyclist on the road of which there are many.

COLIN BECKWITH Morton-on-Swale, Northallerton.