A 'LOVE triangle' could end with one of the three involved in custody after a jealous teenager flung a bottle at a rival's passing car.

Burnley Magistrates heard how labourer William Michael Green, 18, smashed the passenger windscreen, cutting the driver and schoolboy passenger and terrifying three girls in the back, including his girlfriend.

The defendant had believed the man behind the wheel of the vehicle had been trying to steal his partner and wanted to confront him about it.

Green, of Birtwistle Avenue, Colne, admitted affray on May 11 and was bailed until July 29 for a pre-sentence report. He was told that all options would be open.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said as the car drove past the defendant on North Valley Road, Colne, he threw a bottle at the vehicle.

It hit the front passenger window and broke but the vehicle did not stop.

The schoolboy passenger suffered two small cuts to the back of his neck. He had known Green for three years and knew he was responsible for the bottle attack.

The car driver was very shocked by what happened and sustained cuts to his lip as well as ending up with pieces of broken glass in his mouth.

Mrs Reed said the three girls in the back of the car were terrified and particles of glass got into their clothing.

When later spoken to by police, the defendant told them he had had a few drinks. He said he had been aiming the bottle at the ground and not at the car.

Green said as soon as he threw it, he thought to himself: "What have I done?" and then ran off up a street. He knew it was wrong as soon as he had done it.

Glen Smith, defending, said the offence involved a "triangle." Green thought the car driver was trying to take his girlfriend. He wanted to stop the vehicle and confront his supposed love rival.