A police officer faces losing his job after attacking his ex-partner's friend shortly after their relationship ended.

Magistrates were told Canterbury PC Robbie Egan dug his forearm into Danny Cambridge’s windpipe, before punching him in Fernlea Avenue, Herne Bay.

Footage of Egan assaulting victim in the car

Prosecutors said Mr Cambridge had driven Egan’s ex-girlfriend, Jessica Owen, to the officer’s parents’ home, to drop off his belongings.

As they returned to their car, the 30-year-old - wearing only his underwear - rushed into the street in a “rage-like manner”, yelling “you know what day it is”.

Gym-goer Egan claims he was “extremely emotional”, having completed the sale of his late grandad’s home prior to the incident.

But he insisted he did not strike or press his arm against Mr Cambridge’s neck, instead claiming he twice pushed the victim after allegedly seeing him “grab my mother”.

Prosecutor Nathan Fitzpatrick told the hearing: “From the prosecution’s basis, on June 29, Mr Cambridge drove to Egan’s home address to return items that Ms Owen had.

“They were in a relationship which ended the previous day. After 11pm they attended the address and left the belongings in a carrier bag outside.

“Egan came running out of the house. In an aggressive and rage-like manner, he opened the passenger door (of the car Ms Owen was in), saying ‘you know what day it is’.

“His mother came out, and at this point Egan walked over to the driver’s side of the car where Mr Cambridge was sat. He assaulted Mr Cambridge verbally and physically grabbed him.

“He pushed his forearm against Mr Cambridge’s windpipe and punched him, shouting ‘I’m going to knock all of you ***** out’.”

Mr Fitzpatrick said Egan then walked away from the vehicle, allowing the victim to drive off.

Egan was arrested on suspicion of assault and suspended from his job the day after the altercation last summer. He was then charged with the offence just before Christmas.

“I would say there was intention to cause harm,” Mr Fitzpatrick continued.

“I do understand that it was a very emotional day and there was a lot going on (for Egan).”

Footage of the incident shared with KentOnline shows Egan saying to his ex: “How dare you? After you knew what my mum and dad’s been through today.”

He can then be seen leaning over the driver of the vehicle shouting “shut up before I bang every single one of you up” and moving his arms towards Mr Cambridge.

Despite this, Egan disputed the version of the events put forward by the prosecution.

In a statement read to the court, he said: “I am willing to plead guilty to assault on the following basis.

“I was at my parent’s house. It was extremely emotional because we sold my grandad’s house after his death, and I told her I would collect my belongings the next day.

“I heard my property being thrown to the ground outside. I didn’t go outside (to the car) to assault anyone; I wanted Jessica Owen to stop throwing my belongings.

“I left the car to go outside my parent’s house, when I saw Danny grab my mother, who is in her 50s.

“I pushed him twice. I don’t accept putting my forearm on his windpipe or punching Danny Cambridge.”

Mr Fitzpatrick noted the crown did not agree with the basis of the plea, and Mr Cambridge categorically denies putting his hands on Mr Egan's mother.

Chairman of the bench Angela Moyles adjourned the hearing for sentencing on February 22, with Egan released on unconditional bail.

“We have considered both versions of the events which are alleged to have taken place,” she added.

“Having done that we believe that the sentencing range for both would make no material difference.”

"You could see the pure anger in his face..."

Following the hearing last Friday, Ms Owen, 29, told KentOnline she decided to end the three-and-a-half-month-long relationship after it went “absolutely pear-shaped”.

She remembers seeing Egan looking out of a window as she placed the last of the carrier bags on the property’s driveway.

“He came flying out of the house, grabbed hold of the car door and yanked it,” the security guard recalled.

“Robbie then put his forearm up against Dan. He does at one point say ‘get off my mum’, but she came flying into the car saying ‘who are you? Who are you? Who are you?’

“His dad came out and peeled him away. You could see the pure anger in (Robbie’s) face.

“I didn’t think he would do that. He aimed it at Dan and Dan didn’t do anything.”

A Kent Police spokesman has confirmed that Egan remains suspended from his role, which he has held for two years.

He is expected to be subject to an internal disciplinary hearing once court proceedings come to an end.

The spokesman said: “Robbie Egan was arrested on suspicion of assault on June 30, following an altercation at a residential address.

“He was charged with this offence on December 21, having been suspended from service since his arrest.

"On January 21, he appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to this charge.”