A MAN has been found guilty of affray following a two-day trial at Dorchester Crown Court.

Chaz Toothill, 34, of Barnes Orchard, Whitchurch Canonicrum, was charged with two counts of having an offensive weapon, affray and putting a person in fear of violence by harassment.

Prosecuting, Roderick Blain told the court the offences related to two separate incidents on August 31 and September 1 of last year.

Mr Blain said the victim was driving his car exploring the area of Lyme Regis and was near Pitmans Lane when he noticed a familiar car in front of him - that of the defendant’s wife - and a motorcycle - with the rider later being identified as Toothill. The victim claimed Toothill allowed him to drive past and then came up behind him and followed him. After pulling into a layby the victim claimed Toothill banged three times on his window shouting at him to “open up” and he could see “something shiny” in his hand that he believed to be a knife before driving away.

The following day the victim drove himself and his wife to Lyme Regis for work. The couple parked on Broad Street and noticed the defendant driving up the hill towards The Royal Lion. The defendant was then said to turn around and approach the car and threaten the couple before producing a hatchet and driving off.

The incidents were reported to police on September 20 and Toothill was arrested on September 25. Toothill accepted he was the motorcyclist but said it happened it a very different way.

In interview Toothill said it was “ridiculous” that he had a knife on him or a hatchet and it was a “cock and bull story”.

Giving evidence Toothill said the evening prior to the first incident he had been to Candles on the Cobb in Lyme Regis and had lost his keys to his motorbike. He returned the following day with his wife to try to find them and did.

He said: “We were driving home, I was in front and she was was behind me. She was trying to get my attention flashing her lights. So I pulled over and she said someone is following us. I was concerned.

“I told my wife to drive on but not to park in the driveway.

“I was at the side and was letting him drive past. He pulled up next to me and just stared at me. I told him to go on and asked what he was doing here. He eventually drove off and I followed him.

“I was just making sure he was leaving the area.”

Toothill denied any confrontation or conversation relating to the second incident. He told the court he had seen the victim’s car as it was quite distinctive but it was empty.

Toothill was found not guilty of count one of having an offensive weapon. He was found guilty of affray and putting a person in fear of violence by harassment. The jury failed to reach a verdict on count two of having an offensive weapon and crown prosecution said they would not be perusing the matter.

Toothill will appear for sentence on August 9.