Driver reversed over moped rider after street row

David Kendall had chanced upon the man – known as Polish Albert – at shops in Purbrook Way, Leigh Park.

The pair rowed as the victim was friends with Kendall’s girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, a court heard.

After the incident, Kendall’s girlfriend called police and he blamed the victim.

The court heard had Kendall not informed police of the June 12 incident they would not have known as no-one else reported it to the police.

Martyn Booth, prosecuting, said: ‘The complainant made it very clear in his statement that this defendant was the aggressor.

‘He also made it perfectly clear he didn’t in any way back off and by his own admission was prepared to fight with this defendant if the need arose. That was the extent of the friction.’

Kendall, of Dockenfield Close, Havant, took a shovel from the boot of his gold Ford Focus and threatened the victim, who did not back down but put his helmet on.

But the situation diffused and Kendall put the shovel back and left, with his girlfriend and her four-year-old daughter in the car.

‘Annoyed’ and ‘aggrieved’ the victim got on his moped and followed Kendall.

But Kendall stopped to shut his boot, realising the boot was still open. Mr Booth said: ‘The complainant then became aware of the defendant reversing at him at some speed. He was unable to take any avoiding or evasive manoeuvre and the defendant’s car reversed into the moped ridden by the complainant, knocking it and him to the ground.

‘And at some point he formed a view he could see underneath of the car.

‘He described falling on top of his leg and handlebars going into his rib area and being in a great deal of pain and discomfort.’

The victim suffered a bruise to the stomach and lip.

Hannah Duncan, for Kendall, said he acted ‘totally unacceptably’ and ‘impulsively’.

She added: ‘He knows that and pleaded guilty.’

Judge Sarah Munro QC sentenced Kendall to 12 months in prison suspended for two years.

He is banned from driving for two years and must take an extended retest. He must pay £205 compensation and complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

Kendall admitted dangerous driving.