AN AMMAN Valley man drove behind a woman motorist in such an aggressive manner that she feared he was going to force her off the road, Ammanford magistrates heard.

After Darren Smith collided with the rear of one car, a second driver decided to pull into a garage where she knew there would be people about, the court was told.

The 32-year-old council worker later told police he had been striving to get away from someone he feared was "out to get him", said Beth Thomas, prosecuting.

Smith, of 1 Pant-y-Dwr, Upper Brynaman, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £60 costs for careless driving, and a further £120 for failing to stop after an accident.

The defendant, who pleaded guilty, was also ordered to pay a £15 victim's surcharge and given six penalty points on his licence.

Ms Thomas said that a Miss Halfpenny was teaching her daughter to drive in Cwmaman Road, Glanaman, on February 21 when their car was bumped from behind.

When they pulled over, they were overtaken by a car which drove off at speed.

Around the same time ,a Miss Hope was driving along Pontaman Flats when she heard the screech of brakes behind her.

"The defendant's car was practically touching her bumper," said Ms Thomas. "He was flashing his lights and beeping his horn.

"Miss Hope stuck to the 30mph speed limit, but grew very concerned that the defendant was going to use his vehicle to push her off the road. She intended stopping at a garage where she knew there'd be people about."

Smith later told police he "took fright" when he saw a man he thought was coming after him driving in the opposite direction. He claimed his car was damaged when he swerved to avoid a fox on a back road leading out of Brynaman.

Mike Reed, in mitigation, said Smith saw someone driving towards him who had threatened him.

Court chairman Derek Jones said: "This form of aggressive driving will not be tolerated. It must stop or you will find yourself in serious trouble."

10:01am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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