A thug who “used his car as a weapon” and tried to run down a couple after getting involved in a row with them has been jailed for two years.
Andrew Black got involved in a confrontation with Callum Dickson in Barngreen, Arbroath, during which he punched Mr Dickson repeatedly on the head and body.
Black himself suffered a broken jaw in the rammy.
A three-day trial at Dundee Sheriff Court heard Black then got behind the wheel of his Ford Focus and drove it at Mr Dickson and Sarah Peddie.
He mounted a kerb and pavement before driving over a grass verge directly at them.
They were forced to dive out of the way to avoid being struck.
A jury convicted Black of assaulting the pair “to the danger of their life”.
A sheriff told Black: “On any view that’s a very serious offence.”
Black, 56, of Demondale Road, Arbroath, denied charges on indictment of assault to injury and assault to the danger of life.
However, a jury took just two hours to find him guilty of the two charges, committed on April 17 last year in Barngreen, Arbroath.
Defence solicitor Grant Bruce said: “He does accept the verdict of the jury.
“There will be consequences for his family if he receives a custodial sentence.
“He regrets his actions here and has learned a lesson and will take that on board.”
Sheriff Alastair Brown jailed Black for two years and banned him from driving for five years.
He said: “You did not strike them – that may simply be good fortune, yours and theirs.
“Those who use motor vehicles as weapons must expect to go to prison.
“In view of the nature of the conviction in my opinion nothing other than a custodial sentence is in any way appropriate.”
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