A BARTENDER “clung to the bonnet of a car while being driven around the streets of Southbourne”, a court has heard.

Anthony Lee, of Redhill Drive, Bournemouth, is accused of hitting Paul Malin with his car outside the Grove Tavern in January this year before carrying the 27-year-old half-a-mile on the bonnet.

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

 

 

However, Lee, 74, told police during interview that Mr Malin and friend Matthew Fitzroy-Titley had “shouted” at him in the street, and he thought the “best thing to do” would be to drive away.

The incident unfolded after the defendant allegedly struck the bartender’s car as he worked at the Grove Tavern.

Giving evidence at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday, Mr Malin said he followed customer Mr Fitzroy-Titley outside to speak to the defendant.

 

 

“Matt approached the gentleman to speak to him and said, ‘You’ve just reversed into his car’,” he said.

“[Mr Fitzroy-Titley then said], ‘If you’re not getting out, I’ll have to call the police’.”

“At that the gentleman looked quite agitated and I moved towards the front of the car.”

He alleged that Lee suddenly began to drive away.

“It happened so fast I didn’t have a chance to react – it was a case on either on the car or under the car,” he said, adding: “I tried to hold on for dear life”.

Defending, James Newton-Price said it was an “unusual” case.

He added that his client had seen “two men come out of a pub”, and asked Mr Malin: “Might you have frightened or unnerved him?”

The bartender replied: “We were trying to assess the situation by asking him to step out of the car and look at the damage.”

Lee denies two offences of dangerous driving and assault.

The trial continues.