A MOTORIST who caused a crash in which his love rival's car left the road, was jailed yesterday.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Mark Richardson, 30, was suffering from clinical depression after his 14-year relationship with Lisa Foster - the mother of his three children - ended.

Miss Foster had started a relationship with George Henwood.

On October 8, Richardson saw the couple in Mr Henwood's car in The Longlands, Middlesbrough, and drove his car in front of it then braked sharply, the court heard.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said there was a collision and Mr Henwood's car mounted the kerb and hit a tree.

Mr Henwood ran to a police station at North Ormesby.

Mr Dryden said Richardson had earlier been prosecuted for criminal damage after throwing a brick at Mr Henwood's car when the couple were sitting in it.

Nigel Soppitt, defending, said that Richardson and Miss Foster had been childhood sweethearts and he had expected to spend the rest of his life with her.

He said there were constant arguments between the men and on the day of the crash Mr Henwood made gestures which annoyed Richardson.

Mr Soppitt said that Richardson had a new relationship and regretted what he had done.

Richardson, of Albert Terrace, Middlesbrough, who admitted dangerous driving and failing to report an accident, was jailed for three months, disqualified for 18 months and ordered to pass an extended driving test before applying for a licence.