A MOTORIST who used his car as a weapon by running down a teenager has been jailed for 12 months.

Philip Ames became angry after a group of youths were slow crossing the road in front of him.

He drove his car onto the pavement in Walkwood Road, Redditch, hitting Christopher Parish, who was on his way home from celebrating his 17th birthday.

The victim was thrown into the air onto the windscreen of the Vauxhall Zafira but escaped serious injury.

Ames, of Red Hill, Redditch, claimed he wanted to scare the teenagers and only intended to clip one with his wing.

But Judge Michael Mott said: "You wanted to hit him, but not as seriously as it turned out. Only by the grace of god was he not more seriously injured. You used a heavily-built piece of machinery as a weapon."

The judge said his family - who wept in the public gallery of Worcester Crown Court - must have been "surprised and hurt" at his offences.

Ames, aged 23 and with no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and assaulting Mr Parish, causing him actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Abigail Nixon said the collision on May 23 around 10pm caused minor injuries to the victim's head and right knee. He also suffered blurred vision.

Ames drove off afterwards with his car lights turned off.

Jonas Hankin, defending, said Ames had severe emotional difficulties caused by persistent bullying.

He was a hard worker and was engaged to be married. He and his partner had been together five years.