A 60-year-old has appeared in court after driving his van into a person at a retail park in Bournemouth.

Eric Mele drove his Vauxhall Combo into a man outside The Range in Turbary Retail Park on March 8.

Court records show Mele also stole deodorant and coffee from The Range that same day.

The defendant, of Bournemouth Road in Poole, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 5.

He admitted to charges of theft from a shop, assault by beating and driving a motor vehicle dangerously.

Mele was handed a community order lasting until November 3, 2025, with a requirement to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation, a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.