A student reduced a traffic warden to tears after he swore at her, writes Suzanne Huband.

Martin Owens, 22, of Stretton-on-Fosse, Gloucester- shire, was fined £185 by Witney magistrates yesterday after he pleaded guilty to harassment, causing alarm and distress, to traffic warden Annie Price.

Bill White, prosecuting, said Mrs Price was on duty in Witney's Market Square when she saw a parked car causing an obstruction. He said: "When the driver came back to the car he became abusive and swore at Mrs Price before he did a handbrake turn and drove off at speed up Church Green, where he parked on a single yellow line.

"When Mrs Price came up he swore at her again and reversed at speed down a track. He left the traffic warden upset and sobbing. She radioed for police assistance and Owens was arrested."

Owens said: "I swore out of frustration. I did not mean to upset the traffic warden and I regret what I did."

Story date: Tuesday 18 May

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