A PENSIONER drove his car on to a pavement at four young men - flipping one on to the bonnet - in a "totally mad mom-ent", a court heard.

Seconds later, Michael Smith (pictured) returned to the scene brandishing a baseball bat and a kitchen carving knife and made threats, shouting: "Let's do it London style", prosecutor Lee Ingham told Cardiff crown court.

Smith, 65, of Graiglas Crescent, Cefn Forest, Blackwood, was yesterday given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, a suspended sentence supervision order, banned from driving for three years and ordered to take the extended test.

He was previously convicted of attempted wounding with intent, dangerous driving, and possessing an offensive weapon.

But after the case Smith told the Argus: "I know I'm a Londoner from the same place as Reg and Ronnie Kray but it doesn't mean I'm like that.

"I'm not a villain and I never have been and I just can't believe what has happened in court - I'm absolutely gutted by it."

Mr Ingham said the men were returning home after a night out on October 22 and were not drunk.

As they passed Smith's house one fell over - probably damaging the wing mirror of Mrs Smith's Volvo.

Smith saw it on a CCTV system at the front of his house, the court heard. He freed his German shepherd dog shouting: "Kill them" but it ran after a car.

Smith later caught up with the men in Pengam Road. As they walked along the pavement his car mounted it, hitting Sean Roach and flipping him on to the bonnet.

Smith brandished a baseball bat and kitchen knife before leaving with "one final swerve". Smith denied the offences and said the incident had been made up.

His solicitor, David Webster, added the former Army man had made sterling contributions to community initiatives.

Judge Christopher Llewellyn Jones told Smith - who suffers from poor health - "You had what could only be described as a totally mad moment in your life. I am satisfied you have learnt a lesson. Put this behind you and look to the future."

But afterwards Smith said: "I'm not just not capable of doing things like that with my poor health. I haven't got a baseball bat."