Man mowed down by girlfriend's ex

Ryan William Gibson (30) of Myrtle Park pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving at North Antrim Magistrates Court.

A prosecutor told the court police were called to Ozone Avenue following reports of a man being knocked down by a green Audi.

The injured party’s girlfriend - who had previously been in a relationship with Gibson - said Gibson had knocked the man down and driven off, the court heard.

Police were told the injured party was in his girlfriend’s car when Gibson beckoned him across the road.

Once out of the car Gibson then knocked him down, it was claimed.

The injured party was lifted onto the bonnet of the car before being flung against a wall and required stitches.

A defence barrister said there had been an earlier disagreement that day and the two men had been looking to lock horns as a result.

“This was a situation where both men had been involved in something in the nature of rocking stags,” said the barrister.

“They had been in a confrontation in the town and drove around a while until they encountered each other again.

“There was some degree of macho posturing between them.”

The barrister said Gibson had been arguing with his girlfriend moments before he collided with the injured party and hadn’t seen him.

He said Gibson left the scene immediately as he thought the situation could become more volatile if he remained, and called the police to report the incident.

“Gibson accepts his standard of driving fell below the pale,” said the barrister.

“This was not a case of him deliberately driving at this fellow.

“The fellow stepped out onto the road.”

District Judge Richard Wilson told Gibson: “Whatever you and the other fella were up to was certainly inappropriate.

“When you have a vehicle it is a lethal weapon.

“It was stupid behaviour in the extreme.”

Gibson was fined 500 and banned from driving for 18 months.