A motorist who admitted pulling a man off his motorbike has admitted affray.

Luke Geoffrey Pickup, of The Threshold, Jurby, had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge but changed his plea on Tuesday.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, on July 5 at 7.39pm, Pickup was driving a Vauxhall Zafira on Queen’s Promenade in Ramsey, behind a man riding a Honda motorcycle.

overtook

Pickup, aged 25, overtook the man and was said to have narrowly missed hitting the bike. The rider pulled over and Pickup also stopped.

Pickup was then said to have approached the man shouting: ’You’re a drug dealer. You’ve been messing with my missus.’

He then pulled the man off the bike and tried to pull his helmet off.

Pickup struck the man in the head and neck area but the man managed to escape with his helmet still on.

Pickup went back to his car but shouted: ’You’re going to die.’ He was arrested and told police he acted in self defence.

Witnesses said they felt in danger as they saw the incident unfold in case Pickup turned his anger on them.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood asked for a probation report to be compiled before sentencing and for the possibility of a psychiatric report to be looked into.

A second charge of driving without due care was withdrawn.

The case was adjourned until October 23 with bail granted.