The man accused of assaulting an 82-year-old Alberton, Johannesburg man in a road rage incident was let off with a R1000 fine after pleading guilty, Beeld newspaper reported on Saturday.

Sales manager Andre Dirker (38) pleaded guilty to assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm in the Alberton Magistrate's Court on Friday.

His victim, World War II veteran Joe Duffy, had to be admitted to intensive care and have reconstructive surgery performed on his face. He died in September 2006 in Alberton's Union Hospital after a general decline in his health, which his family said was caused by the attack.

Dirker assaulted Duffy after the pensioner rear-ended his Nissan Sentra around 7.30pm in May 2006, in Brackenhurst on Johannesburg's East Rand.

Dirker handed himself to police about a week later.

Duffy's son-in-law Dave Adams was quoted by Beeld as saying: "I can't believe he got off so lightly after he caused my father-in-law's death. So many road-rage incidents happen out there, but nothing is done about them."

He intended taking up the matter with the National Prosecuting Authority.

Sapa