AN angry motorist who had just received a parking fine revved his engine and drove onto the pavement towards a traffic warden, a court heard.

Russell Pennington stopped his car in a zebra crossing area while he got out to use a cash machine across the road in Sedgefield, County Durham, but became abusive when he spotted the warden issuing a ticket, said Kevin Ross, prosecuting.

“Pennington got into his Audi and revved the engine before mounting the pavement and driving towards the warden," he said.

“This was an attempt to intimidate and frighten. We don’t feel it was an attempt to cause injury. The warden had to jump back.”

He told Newton Aycliffe magistrates that the 37-year-old, who admitted becoming angry, explained that he his car had been left in gear causing it to move up onto the kerb when he started it.

Mr Ross added the warden had feared for his safety during the incident on the High Street shortly before 1pm on June 27 last year.

Pennington, of Hylton Road, Ferryhill, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour.

Mike Clarke, mitigating, said: “He’s sorry for losing his temper. He didn’t drive deliberately at the warden. He appreciates that a vehicle moving in that way may have caused the warden apprehension.

“He was stressed at the time due to personal matters. It made him lose his temper quicker than normal.”

Pennington was fined £200 and will pay £50 compensation to the warden plus £50 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge. An initial charge of dangerous driving was dismissed.