AN East Lambrook man who was filmed on a mobile phone rowing with his ex-girlfriend then drove around while she clung to his car bonnet.

Dylan Simms accelerated away and when he came to an abrupt stop she was flung into the middle of the road and seen limping away.

Simms, 21, of East Lambrook, pleaded guilty at Yeovil Magistrates' Court to driving dangerously on Carisbrooke Gardens, Yeovil, on August 15.

Prosecutor Anne Ellery said police were given a video clip taken on a mobile phone showing the incident.

She said Simms had been arguing with the female in the street and following a physical altercation the victim jumped onto the bonnet of his car.

“He then accelerated away while she was still on top of the bonnet, came to an abrupt stop about 40 metres down the road and the girl slid off,” added Ms Ellery.

“The victim was then seen hopping away with her foot bent out in an awkward stance.”

Unemployed Simms made no comment during police interview and the prosecution said he had driven in a dangerous manner that posed a risk of injury, and indeed an injury had occurred.

The court heard the couple’s relationship had now ended and no application had been made for a restraining order.

Defending himself, Simms said there was no excuse for what he had done, adding it had been “a poor decision made in the heat of the moment”.

He said: “I felt I had to remove myself from the situation and felt I had no other option.”

He said he had previously been self-employed but had lost his work as he was no longer able to drive and was applying for benefits.

District Judge Angela Brereton told Simms his actions had illustrated a complete disregard for the safety of others, but said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“I hope you can draw a line under this as it was a complete moment of madness,” she said.

She sentenced him to 16 weeks' prison suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to undertake 100 hours unpaid work and complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Days with the Probation Service.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and until an extended retest is taken. Costs of £40 and a £158 victim surcharge were also imposed.