A MOTORIST drove his car at a friend after the windscreen was cracked by a punch, a court was told.

Paul Wilding and Oliver Davies had enjoyed a strange relationship since schooldays which sometimes "bubbled into violence", said defence barrister Tracey Lloyd-Nesling.

After drinking together, Wilding was driving Mr Davies to his home in Stonebow Road, Hereford, but stopped the car during an argument.

Mr Davies damaged the windscreen with his fist but offered to pay for a replacement, Peter Tooke, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court yesterday.

Wilding then got back into his Rover, drove off without his lights on and did a U-turn.

He veered on to the offside, striking Mr Davies and knocking him down.

He needed hospital treatment for cuts and a swollen nose.

Wilding, aged 20, also of Stonebow Road, admitted dangerous driving and assaulting Mr Davies, causing him actual bodily harm.

Sentencing him to 15 months' detention, Judge John Cavell said he had used his car as a weapon and added: "You could have killed him and been in the dock on a murder charge."

The judge accepted he had not planned the action but carried it out on the spur of the moment in temper.

Mr Tooke said there had been earlier acrimony between the defendant and Mr Davies, also 20, over a girl. Wilding became jealous and insecure when she left him for his friend.

'Lunged out'

On Saturday, September 8, they drank lager and vodka before Wilding gave Mr Davies a lift home.

After knocking him down, Wilding drove off through red traffic lights.

At first Wilding claimed the victim had lunged at him, but then accepted he became annoyed.

He had two previous convictions for assault. In one, he hit Mr Davies on the head with a wheel brace, said Mr Tooke.

Wilding told police they would remain friends and said he only wanted to give Mr Davies "a little dig" with the car.

Miss Lloyd-Nesling said the men had "a close and peculiar friendship". Wilding now had a new girlfriend and they planned to move away when he was released from jail.