A man who drove onto the pavement and hit someone with his vehicle in Chester has been sentenced.

Paul Rudd, 58, was sentenced to 17 months suspended for 18 months on Friday 4 September. He is also disqualified from driving for two years.

He had pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

At around 2.30am on Saturday 7 February, Rudd called the ambulance service stating that he had hit a man with his car in Church Road, Dodleston. He stated that the man had walked out in front of his vehicle.

Officers and paramedics attended the scene, with witnesses stating that the driver had mounted the kerb and driven at the victim on purpose.

It was soon established that there was animosity between Rudd and the victim.

The victim had been in Chester city centre that evening and after exiting a taxi, Rudd drove past and then returned, mounting the pavement and hitting the victim with his car.

Rudd was arrested at the scene and was subject to a driving impairment test. It showed he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or impaired in any way.

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Examination of his phone showed he had sent messages saying, "If he gets out of the taxi, I am going to run the **** over."

The victim suffered severe cuts and bruising as a result of the incident.

In interview, Rudd claimed the victim had been intoxicated and walked into the path of his vehicle. He stated he did not remember sending the text messages threatening to run him over.

Detective Constable Lorna Postlethwaite said: "Rudd let his anger get the better of him and his actions could seriously have put the victim's life at risk.

"There is never any excuse for using a vehicle in this way. I hope the conclusion of this case will give the victim some closure over the incident."