A DRIVER revved his engine before driving into a man and his dog as they crossed a road in Settle, Skipton magistrates heard.

One of the border collie's legs was caught under the wheel of the Ford Focus, while the car itself made contact with the dog's owner, causing bruising and the flare up of an old injury, the court heard on Friday.

Scott Richard James Fleming, 30, of Green End Avenue, Earby, who admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to report it, was sent to Bradford Crown Court for sentencing after magistrates agreed it was too serious for the lower court.

MORE TOP STORIES: Prosecutor Melanie Ibbotson, said Mr Bracewell with his dog on a lead had been crossing over to Settle Market Place at around 2pm on November 3.

He and his dog, a female bi-coloured collie, had almost completely crossed over when Fleming driving at what witnesses described as 'excessive speed' seemed to drive straight at them, before braking hard and stopping just six feet away.

Fleming then revved the engine, before releasing the clutch and driving towards Mr Bracewell, trapping one of the dog's legs under the wheel.

Mrs Ibbotson said Fleming revved the engine a second time, and the car moved in which Mr Bracewell described as a 'deliberate act' to run him down.

Mr Bracewell, who managed to take down the registration number of Fleming's vehicle, said in a statement he was 'extremely shocked' and described the incident as 'unnecessary and unprovoked'.

The dog was taken to the vet and was prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, while Mr Bracewell suffered a bruised leg, which was painful for a week, and the flare-up of an old vertebra injury.

In brief mitigation, the court heard Fleming had his mother in the car and they had been on their way to register the death of a close relative.

Magistrates imposed an interim driving ban on Fleming and sent him to crown court for sentencing on May 27. He was allowed unconditional bail.