A man accused of driving his car at a love rival told a jury he had consumed too much alcohol to sit behind the wheel.

Robert Kerton said he drank six or seven pints of cider after a row with his wife, a week after a reconciliation.

He claimed he walked back to their flat in Broxash Drive, Hereford, in the early hours, but was chased by her former boyfriend Kelvin Conway and another man who was armed with a metal bar.

The prosecution at Worcester Crown Court allege that Kerton drove his VW Golf erratically to attract attention and when Mr Conway went outside to investigate he was hit by the car, suffering minor leg and arm injuries.

Kerton, aged 35, of Lowerfield Meadow, Kingstone, Hereford, denies dangerous driving on November 4 last year.

Mr Conway claimed in evidence that Kerton was unhappy over his love affair and had made threats to damage his car.

On the night he was allegedly injured by the VW, he called to see Mrs Melanie Kerton as a friend, although their relationship was then over.

'They want me put away'

Kerton accused Mr Conway of attacking him outside a Hereford nightclub but denied he had driven his car at him. That night he had lent it to a friend to fetch cigarettes from a garage.

"I had too much to lose because I'd just got my licence back. I don't drink and drive anymore," he said.

Kerton claimed he was the victim of lies.

"Anybody can make up a story," he said. "They want me put away."

He said that as he approached the flat, Mr Conway and another man came after him. He ran off and made his way to a friend's home, where he was later arrested by police.

Prosecutor Tariq Shakoor said Kerton, who married his wife - a mother of two - in 1997, disliked Mr Conway and was prepared to risk drink-driving.

He added in cross-examination: "You wanted to cause real annoyance to your wife and Mr Conway by revving your engine and flashing your lights."

He said Kerton was unable to explain damage found on his car by a forensic scientist.

The trial continues.