A MAN has been disqualified from driving after his ‘idiotic’ driving in a public car park left an elderly man fearing for his safety.

Liam Watts was doing hand-break turns and other tricks in the Old Colonial car park in Royal Parade, Weston on June 11 and was being cheered on by a group of friends who recorded his driving in the Vauxhall Astra van on their mobile phones.

Appearing at North Somerset Courthouse on Monday, Watts pleaded guilty to one count of driving a mechanically-propelled vehicle in a public place without due care and attention.

Jane Cooper, prosecuting, said an elderly man whose vehicle was parked in the car park had become so worried that he was unable to get to it for fear of injury that he approached a police officer at about 9.20pm, who then arrested 20-year-old Watts.

At the hearing Watts, of Moorland Road, Weston, said he regretted his behaviour, adding: ‘I’m very sorry, I shouldn’t have done it.’

Chair of the bench Anna Blackmore disqualified him from driving for 13 weeks, saying: “This defendant has been completely idiotic in relation to his driving in a public place.

“There would have been young people and elderly people around. You have done Weston a great discredit with your behaviour.”

He was also ordered to pay a fine of �240, a victim surcharge of �15 and court costs of �85.