A 74-YEAR-OLD man who drove around Southbourne with a man clinging to his bonnet stopped four times as he tried to get the unwanted passenger to get off the car, a court has heard.

Yesterday the trial of Anthony Lee, of Redhill Drive, Bournemouth, continued at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Prosecutors claim Lee drove into 27-year-old Paul Malin outside the Grove Tavern before driving half a mile around Southbourne with the bartender clinging to his bonnet.

James Newton-Price, defending, told the court Lee felt threatened by Mr Malin and his friend Matthew Fitzroy-Titley, who had accused the pensioner of driving into Mr Malin’s car in the pub car park.

He said after Lee drove off with Mr Malin on the bonnet the pensioner stopped four times to try to get the bartender off the car.

Speaking after the morning’s proceedings, Mr Newton-Price said: “He [Lee] thought the two men were threatening him so he went to drive away.

“One of them then ended up on his bonnet.

“He drove for about half a mile and during that time he stopped four times to try to give him the chance to get off.

“He found himself in an unexpected situation.”

Mr Malin, who gave evidence on Wednesday claims Lee suddenly began to drive away as he drove into him.

He said: “It happened so fast I didn’t have a chance to react – it was a case of either on the car or under the car.

“I tried to hold on for dear life,” he added.

Prosecutors allege Lee stopped the Subaru in Dingle Way before getting out and punching Mr Malin in the face twice.

Lee denies one charge of dangerous driving and one charge of assault.

The jury of nine women and two men were sent out to begin their deliberations yesterday afternoon.