A motorist from Lowestoft, who mounted the pavement and drove at a couple after they had got out of their van to complain about his driving, has been jailed for 16 months.

A husband and wife were driving through Lowestoft about 11am on April 3 when they saw a car driven by Andrew Reilly, which was driving the wrong way around a roundabout.

The man then heard the screech of tyres as Reilly drove 'full pelt' along Clapham Road and saw him do a handbrake turn on a raised speed bump, Ipswich Crown Court heard on Thursday (May 3).

Shortly afterwards the husband heard the screech of tyres again and saw Reilly's car behind him with the engine revving.

Reilly was pulling forward and reversing to get past the slow moving traffic and the couple got out of their van to remonstrate with him about his driving, said Michael Crimp, prosecuting.

The man told Reilly he needed to calm down because there were children around and Reilly had 'gone mad' and spat at the husband.

He then mounted the pavement and drove at the couple as if to run them over, before the husband and wife got back in their van.

Reilly then drove into a dead end road and as he drove out he used his car to shunt a smaller car out of the way.

He had then rammed into the back of the couple's van, said Mr Crimp.

The police arrived and Reilly had run off, but he was chased by police officers and the husband.

When the man caught up with him, Reilly swung a punch at his victim, which clipped his ear.

Reilly seemed disorientated and appeared to be under the influence of drink or drugs.

Mr Crimp said during the incident a witness saw Reilly drive over a pedestrian crossing, narrowly missing pedestrians.

Reilly, 28, of Notley Road in Kirkley, admitted dangerous driving, assault by beating, resisting arrest, driving without a licence, driving with no insurance, failing to provide a specimen and using threatening, abusive or insulting words.

Jailing him for 16 months and banning him from driving for 23 months, Judge David Goodin said Reilly's driving could have resulted in serious injury or worse.

Reilly, who represented himself in court, said: 'I'm sorry and if I could turn back the clock I would.'