A SOUTHAMPTON man has appeared in court following a car drama in which he knocked down his girlfriend outside her home.

Aiden Howard, 23, had taken his father’s car without permission and was driving it to her home in Lower Brownhill Road in Maybush, Southampton.

But prosecutor Rob Welling said that as Howard neared her house he braked too late and smashed into another vehicle before hitting his partner, Melissa Haines, who suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital.

The city crown court heard that Howard also punched her brother, Karl, who was leaning over her after rushing to her aid, and bystander Sara Harvey.

Howard pleaded guilty to the aggravated taking and driving away of his father’s Fiat Panda and assaulting 26-year-old Ms Haines, her brother and the other woman.

The incidents happened at about midday on February 3.

There were initially fears that Ms Haines had suffered a broken neck but an examination at the General Hospital revealed that she had suffered bruising and inflammation, as well as a cut above an eye.

Her brother also received treatment for facial bruising.

Howard denied attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent on his partner and assaulting two other people, which was accepted by the prosecution.

Howard, of Merdith Towers, Southampton, had bail extended to April 7 when he will be sentenced.