TWO men were forced to dive out of the way of a car as it came hurtling towards them.

Carlisle Crown Court heard there were two occasions when Matthew William Bright’s car was spotted on Skinburness Crescent in Silloth in January.

On the second of the two, eggs and potatoes were thrown at the house of Kiaye Clymo. Bright denied throwing the items himself, saying it was the passenger Kayleigh, who had asked him to give her a lift.

It was said a car passenger was responsible.

Bright, 20, said he didn’t know Mr Clymo, but knew his girlfriend Eryka Lamb and he had been involved in a dispute. Andrew Murphy – who is a family member of Mr Clymo – said he saw Bright’s car on both occasions.

At about 12.30am on January 25 – the first of the two sightings of Bright’s car – Mr Murphy reported hearing a banging from outside their home and went to investigate. Outside he saw a hooded figure running away and proceeded to follow them. It was described by Murphy that Bright’s car was seen driving up and down the street with no lights.

He recalled seeing a woman passenger with blond hair and a male driver in the car.

The following day Bright’s car was again spotted on Skinburness Crescent, but this time eggs and potatoes were thrown at the house. It was at this point Mr Clymo’s relatives Thomas Day and Mr Murphy ran outside.

The latter recognised Bright’s Ford Fiesta from the night before, parked up the road. Bright’s car began to accelerate towards him.

Claire Brocklebank, prosecuting, said: “Mr Murphy jumped out of the way.

“The vehicle was then turned to Thomas Day, who also had to jump out of the way. At this point he drove away.”

The ordeal has had a lasting impact on the family. “Mr Murphy has been left shocked and worried,” continued Mrs Brocklebank.

“He doesn’t know what will happen. They feel harassed in their own home.”

Bright, of Monkhill, near Carlisle, admitted charges of dangerous driving and of failing to provide his name and address on February 24, when he appeared at the city’s crown court last month.

The defendant was arrested and interviewed in May this year and admitted being at the scene, but said he wasn’t aware of the background.

“He said a light was shone and he couldn’t see where he was driving.”

Karen Tunnacliffe, defending, said: “There is a very different side to this young man which is friendly and polite and works hard.

“His employers and workmates appreciate everything he does for them and they clearly respect him. He knows he needs to be stronger than he is.”

It was also heard that Bright had no previous convictions.

Judge Adkin said: “You used the car as a weapon and the risk of injury was high.”

Bright was given a nine-month jail sentence suspended for two years, a six-month curfew requiring him to stay at his home address between the hours of 6pm and 6am daily, was disqualified from driving for 18 months and must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.