A MAN reversed into a car driven by his ex-partner at the “culmination” of a campaign of harassment, a court heard.

Jonathan Andrew Cummings was at the wheel of his Volkswagen Polo which reversed “at some speed”, colliding with the Mini in which his former girlfriend had just picked up two friends.

Durham Crown Court heard that the impact resulted in a window smashing in the Mini, the air bags activated and all three people inside suffered whiplash and other associated injuries.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said Cummings got of his car and shouted at his former girlfriend, blaming her for the accident.

But police were called and Cummings was arrested, claiming he reversed at only ten miles per hour, from a cul-de-sac into Medway, Great Lumley, and had “no idea” who was in the other vehicle, as his vision was impaired by parked vehicles.

Mr Walker said police put to Cummings that he “deliberately targeted” her car, which he denied.

But at a recent plea hearing, 24-year-old Cummings, of Sevenacres, Great Lumley, admitted dangerous driving, stemming from the incident at 9pm on August 26.

Mr Walker told the court Cummings had been in a two-and-a-half year relationship with the other woman, but after she ended it, he became “obsessive” and at times followed her, leading to him receiving a warning weeks before the collision.

Chris Baker, mitigating, said the defendant now accepts the relationship is over and knows he must keep away from his “ex”.

Judge Simon Hickey imposed a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, during which Cummings will be subject of probation supervision.

A restraining order was put in place, forbidding Cummings trying to contact the woman, or entering the street where she lives, for five years

He also ordered forfeiture of his car, said to be worth £1,000, and banned him from driving for two-and-a-half years.