A 40-year-old British tourist was arrested at Larnaca airport on Friday night after being accused of deliberately ramming his car into another man – having previously challenged him to a fight.

He was later remanded for four days.

The incident in Paralimni appears to be linked to a road rage showdown in which a 54-year-old moped driver – accompanied by his wife – had his right of way blocked by an illegally parked car.

Tensions boiled over after the two gestured at each other and the 40-year-old British tourist exited the car and raised his fists, challenging the moped driver to a fight on the road.

The 54-year-old got off his moped, but the Briton then returned to his car and appears to have tried to hit the older man by reversing the vehicle into him. That attempt failed, but the Briton then sped forwards and struck the 54-year-old who was thrown to the ground and injured.

The moped driver was taken to hospital by ambulance but was only lightly wounded and soon released.

The Briton fled the scene, but police swiftly identified the tourist as the person who had rented the car. Subsequently, police easily identified him when the Briton turned up at the airport at about 8pm and tried to leave the country.