A parking feud came to a head when a Dover businessman reversed his car into a fitness instructor, injuring his elbow.

Stephen Davies, 60, was initially arrested for causing grievous bodily harm and then charged with driving dangerously.

But the case ended with him being fined just £100 after admitting careless driving.

Judge Heather Norton expressed her surprise the case had been sent to Canterbury Crown Court, after watching a 60-second video of the incident.

She said the victim, 28-year-old personal trainer Christmas Riley, was seen by a witness trying to let the car tyres down before the incident.

“In my view he (Riley) was the aggressive person and I am surprised in the extreme that the prosecution ever thought this was dangerous driving," the judge said.

“But you reversed knowing Mr Riley was there and you should not have done so. However, from all I have seen on the CCTV Mr Riley was a contributory party to the injury he sustained.”

The court heard how there had been a simmering feud between the parties over parking and Davies had parked in Snargate Street.

Mr Riley was caught on CCTV approaching the car when an exchange of insults took place, before Davies reversed and drove away.

The victim is seen bracing himself as his elbow smashes the rear windscreen, but he wasn't knocked over. Davies then drives away.

The judge asked whether she needed to make any prevention orders, but was told Mr Riley was “no longer working in the vicinity of Snargate Street, and was residing at Her Majesty’s Pleasure".

Davies, of Beaconfield Avenue, Dover, was also given three points on his licence.

His lawyer, Guy Wyatt said he had been under “a great deal of stress” after being diagnosed with cancer.

He added: “There is a history between the two men because the defendant had responsibility for parking permits for the area.

“The complainant’s girlfriend got a parking ticket and blamed the defendant.

"The situation deteriorated and on a number of occasions the defendant found that tyres on his car had been cut with a knife and there was a good degree of hostility.”