A PREGNANT Carlisle woman used a tyre iron from her own car to smash the windscreen of another after a man threatened to “run her over”.

Katie Grieves, 29, had never been in trouble before an incident which occurred on May 27 while she was expecting a child.

Prosecutor George Shelley told the city’s magistrates’ court it was around 10pm when Grieves, of Briar Bank, arrived at nearby Bracken Close.

“Due to her family being involved in an ongoing neighbourhood dispute,” explained Mr Shelley.

“She heard her brother’s windshield had been smashed. She arrived, walked up to Raymond Richardson’s vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, and used an item to hit the windshield approximately six times, causing it to smash.”

This was captured by a bystander who recorded the incident on a mobile phone. Damage of £75 was caused to the Fiesta.

Grieves made no comment when interviewed but was, the court heard, a woman of previous good character.

In court she pleaded guilty to a criminal damage charge.

Steven Marsh, defending, gave some more detail about the incident.

Grieves, he said, was single and now living with four children, aged between nine years and seven weeks.

“This is not a dispute she was directly involved in,” said Mr Marsh. “She became involved because her brother had phoned her when there was something ongoing between neighbours. She was phoned and told her brother’s windscreen had been smashed.

“She says she could hear a commotion in the background. She was concerned about young children at her brother’s. She therefore decided to drive over and see if she could help and ensure matters were resolved.”

Grieves spoke to Mr Richardson and there was, the court heard, an argument between the pair.

“Following that argument, what Miss Grieves tells me is she went back to her car on impulse. On the seat of her car was what is described as a tyre iron. She had recently had a tyre changed.

“Therefore it was a very handy item to pick up when angry, as she was at the time. She caused the damage.

“She says she did that because of a comment made by the complainant that he would run her over. She therefore decided to take matters into her own hands,” added Mr Marsh, “so that could not happen.”

Magistrates imposed a £40 fine and ordered Grieves to pay £75 compensation plus court costs.