A BACK-seat passenger reached forward and applied the handbrake to a car that was travelling at 50 mph.

Blackburn magistrates heard the car spun out of control before colliding with a wall.

When the front seat passenger remonstrated with Keith Scott McDonnell for putting their lives at risk she was assaulted.

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McDonnell, 37, of Olive Lane, Darwen, pleaded guilty to interfering with a motor vehicle endangering road users, assaulting Helen Cathie and resisting a police officer. He was committed to Preston Crown Court for sentencing.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the car was being driven by Joanne Devitt, McDonnell’s former partner. He was in the back and Miss Cathie was the front seat passenger. They had been out in Bolton and were heading back to Darwen along the A666 at Bull Hill when an argument started.

“Without warning he reached between the front seats and applied the handbrake while the car was travelling at about 50 mph,” said Miss Akhtar.

“After the car came to a halt Miss Cathie got out, opened the rear door and ordered the defendant out of the car. As she leaned in he raised his foot and pushed her into a hedge.”

Paul Huxley, defending, said the relationship between McDonnell and Miss Devitt was on the rocks and he was struggling to cope.

“On the way home there was an argument which she started and she said some quite horrendous things to him,” said Mr Huxley. “He says she was purposely winding him up and he snapped, reached forward and applied the handbrake. The outcome could have been far worse and he accepts that.”