AN angry motorist drove at a man and almost hit him after they argued in a car park.
Paul Bonser admitted driving his car towards Robert Clarke but claimed it was in an attempt to scare him, rather than hit him.
Mr Clarke jumped out of the way and avoided being struck by the front of Bonser's vehicle, Derby Crown Court heard.
Recorder Nicholas Syfret QC said 52-year-old Bonser's driving had been "close to using the car as a weapon".
He said: "He was not struck by your car but there was some contact. The avoidance of contact was down to Mr Clarke, not avoidance action taken by you.
"It was an attempt to scare. Nevertheless, driving a car in such a way is dangerous."
Bonser, of Dryden Street, Sinfin, was banned from driving for 16 months and told he must take an extended retest before he could drive again.
The incident happened in August last year at a car park between Co-op and Jet garage in Burton Road, Littleover.
Derby Crown Court heard that Bonser was waiting in his car for his wife when he saw Mr Clarke and his partner. There had been an ongoing dispute between the two couples.
CCTV footage showed Bonser leaving the car park, before performing a U-turn and driving directly towards Mr Clarke. Bonser pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
Kevin Waddingham, in mitigation, said: "It was a chance meeting between the two couples, who were at odds. There were various exchanges, and Mr Bonser remained in his car but, during the argument, he lost his cool.
"This behaviour is very much out of character for this 52-year-old man.
"This is a man who is usually inclined to walk away from trouble. He presents himself as somebody who is quietly spoken and quite reserved. This is a man who is long-term unemployed but wishes, within the confinements of his health, to work if he can."
Recorder Mr Syfret gave Bonser an 18-month community order, with supervision, and told him he must attend an education, training and employment course to help him get back into work.
Bonser was told he risked a five-year custodial sentence if he was found to be in breach of his driving ban.
