An Ipswich man who deliberately drove his car into a neighbour has been warned that he is likely to be jailed when he is sentenced tomorrow (Friday).

Judge Emma Peters told 42-year-old Matthew Jarman that she was satisfied he had driven at speed down Eustace Road in Ipswich intending to cause Ian Davey “significant” injury.

“You need to be quite clear that there is a very real possibility that you will go to prison tomorrow,” said the judge.

The court heard that Mr Davey had just returned home from picking his son up from school and was on his drive when Jarman drove down Eustace Road at him.

Mr Davey said Jarman had been driving at 40mph before hitting him with the front of his car and that since the incident on July 20 last year he had undergone surgery to repair damage to his knee.

Ipswich Star: CCTV footage caught the moment Matthew Jarman drove into his neighbour. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDCCTV footage caught the moment Matthew Jarman drove into his neighbour. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

He said that after driving at him Jarman had reversed back up the road towards the home of another neighbour, Thomas Ball, and had got out of his car with an axe.

He had thrown down the axe and had started fighting Mr Ball when he was restrained by police.

Jarman, of Eustace Road, has admitted assaulting Mr Davey causing him actual bodily harm, common assault on Mr Ball and having an offensive weapon.

Judge Emma Peters heard evidence from witnesses in the case to allow her to decide the basis on which she will sentence Jarman.

Giving evidence, Jarman said he had rushed home in a panic after receiving a telephone call from his distressed wife telling him that Mr Ball had been round shouting threats and accusing him of damaging his car while Mr Davey had been standing nearby.

Jarman admitted “losing it” when he came down the street and saw Mr Davey looking aggressive.

“I hit him with the front of my car,” he said. “I don’t know what I was thinking.

“I needed to get to my wife and I wasn’t thinking straight.”

He said he had braked before hitting Mr Davey as he didn’t want to damage his car on a rut in the road.

He admitted being upset at being wrongly accused of damaging Mr Ball’s car but denied he had driven at Mr Davey in a “blind rage”.