A GULF War veteran ended up in the dock after a woman using a mobile phone narrowly avoided a crash.

Father-of-two Steven Harrison, 37, showed his fury when he appeared before magistrates in Teesside yesterday, having been charged with using threatening, abusive words or behaviour.

The woman, who was not in court, pulled out in front of Harrison in Hartburn Avenue, Stockton, as she spoke on her mobile telephone.

An angry Harrison, who served during the first Gulf War, took evasive action and overtook her.

He told Teesside Magistrates that, in a moment of fury, he gestured out of his window with his arms.

The court heard the woman was upset and contacted police after the incident on April 18.

Harrison, who represented himself, was told he could be jailed.

He told magistrates: "She was more in the wrong than me. I can't believe I'm the one here in court and she gets away with using a mobile phone and nearly crashing into a Mercedes."

Chairman of the Bench George Harpham took offence to Harrison's outburst and ordered him out of court.

Harrison returned to court with an apology and a solicitor, Duncan McReddie.

In mitigation, Mr McReddie said of the incident: "It was a very near miss. He accepts that thereafter he gestured through his window. This was a silent plea of 'what do you think you're doing?'."

Magistrates told Harrison, who runs an off-licence with his wife, that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

Harrison, of Poppy Lane, Stockton, pleaded guilty and was fined £100. He was also told to pay £60 costs.