THIS is the first footage from the moments a topless man threw rocks and wood at cars on the A64.

A total of 17 cars and a motorhome or caravan were damaged when a topless man hurled debris at them from the central reservation and side of the A64 close to the slip road to the A19 and the York Designer Outlet.

Paul Bovingdon, who was driving home to Copmanthorpe when he saw another motorist - who had just overtaken him - struck by an object thrown by the man.

Mr Bovingdon said: "Because he overtook me, he took the missile which no doubt would have come my way.

"The first time I saw him he was bent down next to the crash barrier on the far side of the road, then he stood up and threw something at the Audi. I heard it hit the guy's car, so it must've been quite big. He was braking very hard and I passed him, so I don't know what happened then."

Mr Bovingdon's dashcam footage shows the shirtless man standing by the side of the road then appearing to raise his arm as if throwing something, before the Audi is forced to brake hard.

Further down the road, the footage shows a number of cars, vans and a motorhome which were among the vehicles damaged by the suspect, who was later arrested following a chase involving the police helicopter and ground units.

A police spokeswoman said a 21-year-old man from Leeds remained in police custody this morning, after being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, assaulting a police constable, section 18 wounding with intent and using threatening or abusive words.