A man suffered broken ribs and a hand injury when a car was twice reversed into him after a disagreement in a pub, a jury was told.

David Emsley was pinned between the back of the car and railings when Simon Waters reversed into him the second time, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Waters, 40, of Cross Green, Otley, pleads not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and the alternative less serious charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Prosecutor David McGonigal said that, on the night of August 11 this year, Mr Emsley, and his wife Sharon, were in The Fox pub at Menston, as were Waters and his partner and her two children, aged 21 and seven.

The two parties did not know each other.

Mr McGonigal said words were exchanged and Mr Emsley would say the defendant was staring at him and at one point walked past and made a remark, which Mr Emsley ignored.

Mr McGonigal said both parties left the pub and further words were exchanged between the defendant and his partner and Mr Emsley in the car park.

He said there was swearing between them and Waters made a gun gesture with his hands, threatening to shoot Mr Emsley, and shouted: “I am going to kill you.”

Mr McGonigal said Waters got in the Ford Galaxy they had arrived in and as he drove away, he reversed the vehicle, almost colliding with Mr Emsley, but he caught his hand, causing bruising and soreness.

Police were called and an officer attended.

But soon after he left the defendant returned in the car. Mr Emsley was stood at some railings and it is alleged Waters deliberately reversed into him, pinning him between the back of the vehicle and the railing. He then drove off.

Mr McGonigal said: “The Crown say that was a deliberate piece of driving.

“He had deliberately returned to the pub to seek out the complainant and cause him injury.

“He used that vehicle as a weapon and, in fact, caused him grievous bodily harm.”

Mr Emsley was taken to hospital and treated for four broken ribs and bruising to his chest.

Waters told police it was a complete accident and he did not mean to drive into the complainant.

The trial continues.