A DRIVER narrowly avoided a motorist as he drove towards his car at up to 30mph, a court heard.

David Davies, 33, was forced to “dive out of the way” to avoid Gareth Rowlands as he rammed his car from behind in Ebbw Vale, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Mr Davies called 999 and Rowlands was arrested after the crash in Frost Road on August 15 last year, the court was told. Mr Davies’ car Honda Accord sustained extensive damage to the rear and was ultimately ultimately a write-off.

The court heard that an altercation in Frost Road descended into violence because of the woman in Mr Davies’ car, Gail Brain. Rowlands, of Ystrad Deri, Tredegar, is charged with dangerous driving and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. He denies both charges.

The court heard Rowlands followed Mr Davies after he picked up Ms Brain at a job centre. Mr Davies then drove to his home near Frost Road with Ms Brain, prosecutor Martyn Kelly said. Mr Davies got out to confront Rowlands, he said. Mr Davies managed to avoid Rowlands’ incoming car, but moments later h he he armed himself with a hammer and threw it at Rowlands’ car in retaliation for the incident, the court was told.

The defence’s case is that Mr Davies attacked Rowlands by throwing the hammer after realising he had followed him to his home, Mr Kelly said.

Rowlands claims that he then accidentally put his car in first gear rather than reverse, Mr Kelly told the jury.

Proceeding.