Talkback callers have reacted with rage and disbelief after a Whanganui man who attacked an 80-year-old after becoming enraged by a traffic incident was only given three months' community detention and 100 hours' community work.

Richard expressed his outrage on Andrew Dickens Afternoons with harsh words about New Zealand's justice system.

"This man deserves hard labour in jail, but that doesn't happen in this country because we are living in a mamby pamby liberal jellyfish country."

LISTEN TO THE REACTION FROM TALKBACK CALLERS ON ANDREW DICKENS AFTERNOONS