A DRUNKEN man lay down in the road to stop a learner driver passing after years of torment from rookie motorists practising on his street.
Michael Sawyer, 39, of Kings Road, Chelmsford, admitted losing his cool after the learner attempted a three-point-turn outside his home.
Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard on Friday how Sawyer approached the learner driver's door aggressively, banged on the window and lifted the windscreen wipers, before shouting "I'm going to belt you."
As the driving instructor, Paul Rawlings, and his pupil tried to drive away, Sawyer also began to walk away.
But once they had turned around, they were forced to pass Sawyer again, who then threw himself to the floor.
Katherine Wilson, prosecuting, said: "Mr Sawyer was lying in the middle of the road in a star shape until a member of the public got out and had words with him and he got up. Mr Rawlings feared for the safety of himself and for his student."
Sawyer eventually left the scene after an angry van driver, who could not pass, had words with him.
The former security worker was arrested shortly after, but it took a handful of officers to restrain him before he kicked the door of the QX07 Volvo police car, causing £200 of damage.
He pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour, wilfully obstructing a highway and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.
The court heard how Sawyer had lost his job as a security guard just a day earlier and had been seen by the Linden Centre mental health team as recently as October 3 after he threatened to take his own life.
Sawyer, dressed all in black, represented himself during the hearing.
He said: "For the last three years I've had nothing but mayhem down the road.
"I'm out of order and I apologise for all that I done to the instructor, to the learner driver and for the police car.
"They drive up and down all day long, I had been drinking and I was at the end of my tether.
"I had lost my job but I will try to start my life again with my family and friends."
Chairman of the bench, Mrs Macallan said: "It must have been frightening for the learner driver."
Sawyer, who has six previous convictions was given a community order for 18 months and must undertake 60 hours of unpaid work. He was made to pay £200 for the criminal damage to the police car door and a £60 victim surcharge.
