A MAN who pointed his fingers at an off-duty policewoman who had arrested him earlier was jailed for two months yesterday.

The off-duty officer thought Ian Donaghue had a gun in his hand and stopped at a service station to contact her colleagues at Peterlee police station.

Donaghue, 32, of Brackendale Court, Station Town, Wingate, appeared before Teesside Crown Court and admitted witness intimidation.

Judge Leslie Spittle jailed Donaghue for two months, and said: "He behaved in an irresponsible and stupid manner and it is clear she thought he was in possession of something."

Donaghue admitted the offence on the basis that he was unarmed but the officer saw a threatening gesture last November.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said that the woman police officer was travelling on the A19 when a car pulled in front of her.

She saw the front passenger hanging out of the car, looking in her direction and pointing his arm towards her, said Mr Dodds.

He continued to point his outstretched arm at her as she overtook.

Simon Mallett, for Donaghue, said he had been jailed in February for 18 months for handling stolen goods and was due for release at the end of October.

He had recognised the police officer, although she had struggled to recognise him.

Although Donaghue had behaved foolishly, the offence was not very serious, said Mr Mallett.