A driver who ‘lost his temper’ and reversed his van at a horse and rider on a quiet country lane has been jailed.

Nadeem Hussain, 31, was branded a ‘bully’ after he drove his van at speed towards student Charlotte Whatmore and her horse Merlin.

Judge Beverley Lunt said: “You behaved like a bully and you used your vehicle to intimidate and threaten – that is like using it like a weapon.”

Burnley Crown Court heard how Miss Whatmore was left with a £76 vet bill after Merlin suffered injuries to his tendons, fetlock and rump during the incident last June.

Prosecutor Sarah Johnston said the experienced rider had signalled for Hussain’s van to slow down when she saw him approaching down Back Lane in Baxenden. Ms Johnston said: “Instead of slowing down, the vehicle kept approaching at the same speed, drawing parallel with the complainant and her horse.”

Ms Johnston said the defendant then skidded to a halt pressing the horse toward the wall and a verbal altercation began as Hussain got out of his vehicle.

She continued that Hussain became aggressive and threatened to ram his van into the horse before driving forward and then reversing his van towards the animal, causing it to rear up.

The defendant drove away and was arrested after police traced his vehicle registration plate, Ms Johnston said. On interview Hussain accepted there had been an altercation but denied driving so near to the horse.

Father-of-five Hussain, of Park Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Defence barrister Martin Hackett said the defendant accepted an altercation had taken place but said both parties ‘gave as good as they received’.

He said Hussain had not deliberately aimed for the horse and rider and asked for a suspended sentence to allow his client to pay compensation. But Judge Beverley Lunt said Hussain had lost his temper and sent him to prison for 12 months. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.