EASTBURN man David Kerr ripped the door handle off a car in his attempt to get at the driver, Skipton magistrates were told.

When Benjamin Fothergill refused to get out, he got a golf club out of his own car and threatened the other man with it, the court heard.

He had driven after Mr Fothergill - with whom he had history - after first seeing him outside his girlfriend's house and caught up with him in Lingah Hill, Glusburn.

Mr Fothergill repeatedly sounded his horn to alert people, the police were called, and Kerr drove off.

Kerr, 25, who admitted criminal damage and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, had long standing issues with Mr Fothergill and on July 13 had sought to confront him, the court heard.

In mitigation, Keith Blackwell said Kerr, who had previous convictions, including for assault, was very sorry and had realised it had been a stupid thing to do.

He added that Kerr had no intention of using the golf club, but accepted that his victim would not have known that.

"He is ashamed of what he has done and was candid with the police, it was thoroughly bad behaviour on his part but thankfully, there were no injuries," said Mr Blackwell.

Magistrates told Kerr, of Harewood Avenue, that a custodial sentence had been considered, but that instead he was being given an 18-month community order with curfew.

The order will include supervision and 15 sessions looking at enhanced thinking skills. The curfew will last for three months, from 8pm to 6am, and take place at his girlfriend's house in North Street, Silsden. He will also have to pay £60 compensation for the car door handle, a £60 victims surcharge and £85 costs.