TWO men who got out of their cars and began fighting in the road were seen by an off-duty police officer who called 999.

The Sellafield police officer who witnessed the incident had been driving in Egremont on August 25 when he approached the junction at Market Street and saw two vehicles were stationary.

He noticed a male move towards the Ford Focus vehicle and approach the door. The male was ‘aggravated’ and shouting. He opened the door and continued to shout aggressively, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the officer phoned 999 to report the incident. The other male then exited his vehicle and there was an exchange of verbal aggression between the two males.

They then began throwing and landing punches at each other. Both were described as ‘highly aggressive’.

Carlo Chiesa, 45, was arrested and had cannabis in his possession. He was then interviewed by police.

Ms Fee said it was an incident that had escalated into violence and there were members of the public who had to break it up.

Chiesa, of Red Lonning, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence and possession of a Class B drug – cannabis.

John Cooper, defending, said: “He had been driving into town with his mum. He had a phone call from his ex-girlfriend. [The other male] is the brother.

“He thought he had hung up the phone. They were berating his ex-girlfriend. The phone had been left on. The ex-partner was listening. She was already there when he got into town. The brother was not happy with the conversation.

“He [Chiesa] got back into the car. They left and got back to the home address. The Ford Focus has followed them. Mum stopped the car and said, ‘I’m not being followed the whole way home’.

“He gets out the car, goes to the Focus. It isn’t pleasant to watch. He walks back to his car. [The other male] gets out of his car, approaches Mr Chiesa, fights him. It’s [the other male] who gets out the car and approaches Mr Chiesa.

“The police officer is quite clear both parties are as bad as each other.”

Chiesa was given a 12-month community order with a 10-week curfew to run daily from 7pm until 7am. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis.