A Moray man embroiled in a long-running feud with a neighbour reversed his car towards a vehicle containing the other man as their dispute reached boiling point.
Robert McHardy, from Newmill near Keith, backed his Ford Transit towards the vehicle his former neighbour, Ryan Cruickshank, was a passenger in.
He stopped just “inches” away from the Volkswagen Golf.
Yesterday, the 62-year-old was allowed to keep his driving licence at Elgin Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to a charge of acting in a threatening or abusive manner on June 20 last year.
Sheriff Chris Dickson described the incident as “frightening” after hearing how the agency worker blocked the road in front of the couple, before speeding past them to do the same again.
Fiscal Kevin Corrins explained the incident began when McHardy reversed back and forward across the carriageway in front of the oncoming car.
When later questioned by the police, the accused explained that the driveway of his Isla Road home was difficult to manoeuvre into and claimed he had been attempting to back into it.
Mr Corrins described McHardy driving “at speed” to get back in front of the couple before slowing down in front of them.
He said: “The accused then slowed down to about 15mph. It was noted by the witnesses that there was no particular reason on the road ahead for doing this – but it continued for about a mile.
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“Thereafter, the accused stopped in the middle of the carriageway.
“Due to the slow speed, the other driver was able to stop in time.
“However, McHardy then reversed and was described as stopping inches from the car before driving forward again.”
Defence solicitor, Robert Cruickshank, explained the relationship between McHardy and Mr Cruickshank was strained when they were neighbours but had eased since Mr Cruickshank had moved away.
Mr Cruickshank said: “He accepts his behaviour can be seen as confrontational towards others.
“He has indicated this was a spur of the moment occasion and he would act differently if confronted with similar circumstances in the future.”
Sheriff Dickson added: “This was an unnecessary and unpleasant incident. I am sure it would have been frightening for those in the vehicle.”
McHardy was sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work and was spared a driving ban.
