(Image: Newsquest)
A man who rammed his car into a vehicle carrying his ex-wife and smashed the door mirror off her new partner’s car has appeared in court.
Wayne Minza followed the couple after they left a Hartlepool cinema, forcing them to pull into a Seaham lay-by where he confronted them.
The couple managed to pull away, but the 47-year-old followed them and drove into the back of their car, causing damage, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.
Prosecutor George Johnston said Minza then swung a tie strap around before wrapping it around the door mirror.
The couple drove away, but Minza followed them again and threatened them with a spanner when they stopped on Longnewton Street.
“He was pulling at the passenger door handle and then approached the driver’s side and trying to pull it open,” he said.
Minza, of Drayton Road, Hartlepool, admitted criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon. He was convicted of careless driving after the incident on March 28, 2025.
His lawyer, Amrit Jandoo, said Minza wanted to discuss the breakdown of his relationship but accepts he handled it completely the wrong way.
He said: “He has reflected on his behaviour of following someone and using a weapon to damage the car – he understands that is not acceptable.”
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District Judge Steven Hood gave Minza an 18-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work.
“You used a weapon to damage the vehicle,” he said. “It is clear it was used to threaten or cause fear in those circumstances.
“This was a prolonged incident over three episodes.”
Minza was also given five penalty points on his driving licence and ordered to pay £254 in court costs.