A BITTER ex-girlfriend has escaped jail after she rammed her former boyfriend's car off the road in a jealous rage.

Terrified Gavin Carr crashed his car, containing two young female passengers, into a wall after he was tailed by his ex, 18-year-old Sarah Gowling.

Only a few days later, Mr Carr was punched and kicked by Gowling after she spotted his car outside a shop and began remonstrating with him about the crash.

Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday how Mr Carr split with Gowling after he became "suspicious" over her claim that she was pregnant.

Prosecutor Julie Clemitson told the court how Gowling's anger at being dumped boiled over when she saw him in a car park in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, with two girls on September 27 last year.

Mr Carr drove away from the area as he noticed Gowling's car approach but the court heard that he soon realised he was being followed.

The court heard how Gowling's car repeatedly nudged and bumped Mr Carr's.

They were eventually bumped so hard from behind the car was knocked sideways and hit a wall.

Mr Carr and his two passengers were lucky to escape with minor injuries. Gowling's two female passengers, one just 15, also suffered minor injuries in the smash.

Defence barrister Ronald Mitchell said Gowling had been "emotionally upset" at the time of the attacks and had genuinely believed that she was pregnant when she was dumped by Mr Carr.

He added: "She is a woman who finds it difficult to come to terms with rejection."

Gowling, of Borrowdale Grove, Crook, County Durham, was sentenced to a two-year community rehabilitation order after she pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage, dangerous driving and assault.

Miss Recorder Armitage said Gowling was "fortunate indeed" to be spared a prison sentence.

She added: "You are going to have to grow up. You cannot make people want you if they don't.