A police worker who drove his car at a love rival wept in court as a judge remanded him in prison.

Wayne Unstead was told that for his "own protection" following a recent suicide attempt he would spend the next two months behind bars awaiting sentence

The 47-year-old from Canterbury repeatedly shook his head and wiped tears from his face as his barrister explained he was "terrified" of jail.

But although Judge Mark Weekes said he was "anxious" Unstead learned his fate as soon as possible, he ordered he would have to be held in custody while reports were prepared.

Canterbury Crown Court heard Unstead, who works for the Metropolitan Police, was at the wheel of a Seat car when he "used it as a weapon" against the victim, Stephen Knight, in the city’s Sturry Road, on September 5 last year.

A police spokesperson said Unstead punched Mr Knight several times through his car window before getting back into his own vehicle.

He then accelerated at Mr Knight, who was now out of his car, but his victim managed to avoid being struck.

Undeterred, Unstead reversed and again drove at Mr Knight, this time colliding with him before leaving the scene.

Mr Knight, who had previously been in a relationship with Unstead's girlfriend, suffered injuries described as "thankfully minor" by prosecutor Paul Valder.

Unstead, of Marley Lane, Hoath, was arrested the following day.

He had been due to stand trial on Tuesday accused of attempting to cause Mr Knight grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to both offences before jurors were sworn.

Neil Ross, defending, said his client had served with the Met for many years "in various capacities", only to then "throw his life way in one moment".

But it was on hearing from Mr Ross about Unstead's discharge from hospital following an overdose that the judge refused to allow his bail to continue until his sentencing hearing.

As the distraught dad sat in the dock, Judge Weekes said: "I am very concerned to learn he has attempted to take his own life and for which, of course, I have sympathy.

"But faced with the inevitable length of sentence, I am not prepared to grant him bail and therefore remand him in custody for his own protection."

Unstead, who was suspended from duty following the incident, will be sentenced on February 16.

A Met Police spokesperson said Unstead’s work was connected to Met Operations

They added: “Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, the misconduct process will commence.”