A driver who tailgated a car after seeing his girlfriend with another man has been told his actions verged on road rage.
After following the car for some distance, Stuart Barrett lost his temper and caused a crash when he overtook, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard.
Barrett (24), of Hill Street in Dunfermline, pled guilty to driving carelessly on Halbeath Road and other streets in Dunfermline on October 25 last year.
He admitted repeatedly tailgating a car, overtaking it, forcing it on to the pavement and colliding with it; and assaulting driver Neill Robb by pushing him.
Solicitor Ian Beatson told Sheriff Dunbar his client worked offshore as an instrument technician.
He was a contractor and needed his licence as he could be called upon to work at short notice.
Mr Beatson said Barrett thought he saw his then girlfriend in another vehicle and decided to follow it to make sure.
As far as he was concerned their relationship was still very much on at that stage.
He realised it was her and sent her a text asking what she was doing.
She recognised him.
Mr Beatson added Mr Robb turned into Thistle Street and kept slowing down for a series of speed bumps.AnnoyedBarrett became annoyed and decided to overtake, but pulled in too soon.
The collision occurred and both he and Mr Robb got out of their cars and began shouting at each other.
Barrett claimed Mr Robb was acting in an aggressive manner towards him.
“Mr Barrett accepts that he was fairly angry,” Mr Beatson said.
“He accepts he shouted and swore at the complainer and accepts he shouldn’t have done so.
“He lost his temper and pushed the complainer.”
“He very much regrets the incident.”
Sheriff Dunbar said, “This whole narration of events makes me wonder if you are sufficiently responsible to continue to hold a driving licence.
“This was very, very poor driving, verging on road rage.”
He fined Barrett £700.