A LEARNER driver who threatened to kill a driving examiner who had failed him halfway through his test has been told he could face jail.

Antony Kevin Alltree, 25, also threatened to kill his driving instructor Kenneth Spencer and even chased them down the street using expletive language.

Examiner John Williams said he had not experienced an episode like the one in Nelson in 10 years and now locks all the doors and windows when he's at home.

Burnley Magistrates Court heard how Alltree, of Eagle Street, Nelson, went in to a rage after Mr Williams had stopped him entering a roundabout by putting on the combined breaks during the test which started at 8am on February 9.

When Alltree realised it meant he had failed his test and words were exchanged between the defendant and Williams before the examiner asked him to pull up at the side of the road, the court heard.

Alltree got out of the car, slamming the door and shouted at Mr Williams: "You would not have done that if you knew who I was."

Driving instructor Kenneth Spencer, who had been sat in the back of the car, got out to try and calm Alltree down.

But magistrates were told Alltree shouted: "All I have to do is make one phone call and you are both dead. I will kill you."

Prosecuting, Tracy Yates said Alltree banged on the car and carried on driving expletives and when Mr Williams drove off back towards the driving test centre, leaving the defendant on the roadside. But Alltree chased after the car continuing to shout abuse.

At 8.50am Mr Williams and Mr Spencer heard knocking at the door of the test centre in Cobden Street. Colleagues noticed it was Alltree, who had walked back, and called the police.

When officers arrived Alltree, who police said he was in an agitated state, denied making threats to kill and said he had just had an altercation and it was between Mr Williams and him.

He told police: "I just called him a p**** and told him I would kick his head in."

Mr Williams was said to have been so shaken by the incident that he cancelled all remaining tests that day.

Mrs Yates said: “The instructor said he was very shaken up and scared. He says he is only not five feet two and Mr Alltree is considerably taller. He has not experienced anything like that before.”

Defending, Graeme Parkinson said his client had anger management issues and also suffered from ADHD and dyslexia.

He said his client accepts he had handled the situation badly but chased after the car and went to the test centre to retrieve his provisional licence which he was fearful of losing.

"But he said it wasn't until later he realised it had been in his jacket pocket throughout. He said his client did not recall using any expletives but accepts he probably did.

Mr Parkinson said: "He does apologise for his behaviour and he accepts his behaviour was totally unacceptable."

Alltree, who is unemployed and cares full-time for his partner, has nine previous convictions for offences including assault, disorderly behaviour and dishonesty.

The case was adjourned until April 25 for a pre-sentence report and Alltree was given unconditional bail.

The chairman of magistrates Mr Creelman said: "We have listened to carefully to what everybody has said and we take on board everything that we have heard, including your condition. This was clearly very shocking for the examiner.

"We are not ruling out any options when it comes to sentencing you."