A WOMAN was subjected to a terrifying car chase by her ex-boyfriend after he sped after her in his new lover's car.

Sandy Burns, 31, of Queensfield Farm, Lower Forest Road, Melksham, chased Susan Netherwood and shunted her car three times as she tried to get away. The VW Polo he was driving belonged to his new girlfriend, Carly Brown.

Michele Hewitt, prosecuting at Chippenham magistrates' court on Thursday, said Burns had asked Ms Netherwood to get back together with him.

Ms Netherwood, who had a young child with Burns, had gone to visit him while he was living rough in a vehicle on a farm track near Lacock, on March 30 last year. When she got there she found him with his new girlfriend.

An argument broke out and Ms Netherwood drove off but Burns got into Ms Brown's car and followed his former lover, chasing her down the A350 towards Melksham.

Mrs Hewitt said: "He was driving in an aggressive manor close behind her."

Burns shunted her car about three times and the court heard Ms Netherwood was terrified.

When she got to McDonald's she was held up by traffic lights. The defendant got out and started banging on her window, shouting and swearing," Mrs Hewitt said.

She managed to drive off when the lights went green but he followed her home and her father had to get rid of him. Burns gave himself up to police after he was placed on a national database of wanted people.

David Harris, defending, said Burns had found a job and was trying to make a fresh start. Magistrate David Randolph said: "This was a very unpleasant incident in which your behaviour was simply appalling."

Burns pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent and having no insurance. He was told he could face a prison sentence and was placed on unconditional bail until June 6.