Leon Quartermaine in court over road rage incident near Hoglands Park

Leon Quartermaine “saw red” after a row with two men outside a Southampton department store.

He jumped in his car and tracked down the pair, before mounting the pavement and driving directly at them.

The two men and another unsuspecting pedestrian were forced to jump out the car's path.

The 19-year-old was later stopped by police, who he assaulted, before failing a drug-driving test.

Quartermaine was given a suspended sentence at Southampton Crown Court, after admitting dangerous driving.

(Leon Quartermaine leaves Southampton Crown Court)

The court was told how the incident took place in November last year, just weeks after the teenager had started a health and fitness degree at Southampton Solent University.

Prosecutor Rob Harding said how Quartermaine was spotted on CCTV arguing with two men outside Debenhams, in Queensway, after the pair had supposedly walked in front of his car.

After a short argument, the teenager was seen getting back into his car, before driving across the road’s central reservation and towards Houndwell Park.

CCTV then picked up Quartermaine’s silver Peugeot driving around a roundabout at speed before driving in the direction of Hoglands Park.

Mr Harding said: "He was driving near Hoglands Park when he mounted the pavement and drove at two pedestrians (the same pair as he had argued with).

"A member of the public had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit."

(A still from the CCTV showing the incident near Hoglands Park)

During his arrest, shortly after the incident, the teenager scratched at one police officer’s neck, causing bleeding, and hit and kicked out at other officers.

He also tested positive for cannabis, while police found drug paraphernalia in his car.

Quartermaine admitted dangerous driving, one count of drug-driving and one count of assault on a police officer.

In mitigation, Richard Martin said Quartermaine suffered from Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) – a condition which impacts on a sufferer’s hearing due to a coordination issue between the ears and the brain.

Mr Martin said the teenager also suffered from anger problems.

He said this, coupled with his struggle adapting to life following his move from London to Southampton, may have contributed to the incident, which he described as “out of character”.

Recorder Alexia Power gaveQuartermaine, of Marsh Lane, Southampton, an 11-month sentence, suspended for 15 months.

She said: “You should quite rightly be ashamed of yourself for this dangerous behaviour, which showed little regard to the safety of others.

"You should be thankful that you are not facing more serious charges had you actually hit those people.”

She added: "This behaviour put members of the public at risk, but it is clear to me that there is a real chance in this case of rehabilitation."

Quartermaine was also ordered to carry out 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 80 hours of unpaid work.