A SWANSEA Valley teenager who drove a car at his friend, forcing him to jump on the vehicle's bonnet as he feared for his safety, has been disqualified from driving.
Liam Allan Jenkins, 18, initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of dangerous driving, one count of driving without insurance and another of driving without a licence.
But ahead of his trial at Neath Magistrates Court, Jenkins changed his pleas and has been banned from driving for 12 months and handed an 18 month community discharge.
The court heard Jenkins had been at the Checkpoint Garage in Old Wern Road, Ystalyfera, with his friend Robert Patton, whose father owns the garage, last June.
Mr Patton was locking up at the end of the day with his girlfriend, while Jenkins was cleaning a Citroen C2 vehicle.
As Mr Patton and his girlfriend crossed the road, Jenkins started to slowly drive towards the couple, who initially thought he was messing around.
He then steered the car towards them and Mr Patton, fearing he was going to be pinned between the vehicle and a 3ft high wall, jumped on to the car's bonnet.
Jenkins then reversed backwards before accelerating forward again.
Jenkins then drove a short distance before Patton fell of the bonnet and into the road, sustaining minor injuries to his arm, leg and chest.
Defence solicitor Lucinda Nicholls said: "We are talking about two young lads who were friends and knew each other well.
"This was a couple of young boys messing around and it went too far.
"He was 17 at the time of the incident and ask you to take that into account.
"There was no intention of causing any injury."
The court also heard from the Probation Service which said Jenkins would be unable to fulfil an unpaid work requirement as he suffered from blackouts.
Magistrate Jan Langton said: "Mr Jenkins, it may have been a prank but it could have had serious consequences and I am sure you are aware of that.
"In light of what has been said by the probation service, our hands are slightly tied.
"We are still going to punish you with an 18-month community discharge."
Jenkins, of Wade Avenue, Ystalyfera, was also ordered to pay £150 costs and £75 compensation to Mr Patton.
Liam Allan Jenkins, 18, initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of dangerous driving, one count of driving without insurance and another of driving without a licence.
But ahead of his trial at Neath Magistrates Court, Jenkins changed his pleas and has been banned from driving for 12 months and handed an 18 month community discharge.
The court heard Jenkins had been at the Checkpoint Garage in Old Wern Road, Ystalyfera, with his friend Robert Patton, whose father owns the garage, last June.
Mr Patton was locking up at the end of the day with his girlfriend, while Jenkins was cleaning a Citroen C2 vehicle.
As Mr Patton and his girlfriend crossed the road, Jenkins started to slowly drive towards the couple, who initially thought he was messing around.
He then steered the car towards them and Mr Patton, fearing he was going to be pinned between the vehicle and a 3ft high wall, jumped on to the car's bonnet.
Jenkins then reversed backwards before accelerating forward again.
Jenkins then drove a short distance before Patton fell of the bonnet and into the road, sustaining minor injuries to his arm, leg and chest.
Defence solicitor Lucinda Nicholls said: "We are talking about two young lads who were friends and knew each other well.
"This was a couple of young boys messing around and it went too far.
"He was 17 at the time of the incident and ask you to take that into account.
"There was no intention of causing any injury."
The court also heard from the Probation Service which said Jenkins would be unable to fulfil an unpaid work requirement as he suffered from blackouts.
Magistrate Jan Langton said: "Mr Jenkins, it may have been a prank but it could have had serious consequences and I am sure you are aware of that.
"In light of what has been said by the probation service, our hands are slightly tied.
"We are still going to punish you with an 18-month community discharge."
Jenkins, of Wade Avenue, Ystalyfera, was also ordered to pay £150 costs and £75 compensation to Mr Patton.
