A man reversed his car over his girlfriend after she told not him not to drive because he had been drinking, a court was told.

Robert Lovelock, 27, from New Stevenston, North Lanarkshire, admitted seriously assaulting Nicole Allan by pushing her to the ground before reversing his Vauxhall Corsa over her body on April 10 on Farm Road in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

Lovelock, who is also known as Robert MacDonald, was originally charged with attempted murder but his plea to the lesser offence was accepted by the Crown at the High Court in Glasgow.

He also admitted striking her stepsister, Elizabeth Canavan, on the body with the car.

The couple visited Ms Allan's relatives and at 10pm he said he wanted to go home.

Prosecutor Allan Nicol told the court: "They had a disagreement and Nicole Allan told the accused she was not leaving as her mother had arranged to pick them up and that he could not drive as he had been drinking."

The row continued outside the relative's house on the driveway.

Lovelock got into his car and there was a struggle as Ms Allan, accompanied by her stepsister, tried to stop him driving away.

He got out of the car, pushed her to the ground and then attempted to drive off.

She leaned into the car through the front passenger window and was dragged a short distance before she fell to the ground.

At this point Lovelock stopped the car and then reversed, knocking Ms Canavan to the ground and driving over Ms Allan, who was still lying on the floor.

Lovelock then drove forward and got out the car and spoke to Ms Allan, before driving off.

Ms Canavan and her partner helped Ms Allan into their home and called for an ambulance as well as alerting police.

Ms Allan was taken to Hairmyres Hospital with a cut to her forehead, bruising to her body and tenderness in her lumbar area.

Ms Canavan suffered a fracture to a wrist bone.

Mr Nicol said: "At the time of the accident although it was dark the street lights were on and the accused would have been able to see Nicole Allan and Elizabeth Canavan and would have been fully aware of their presence."

The court heard fibres from Ms Allan's top were found on the car's axle and marks were discovered on the rear of the car consistent with her head and upper body coming into contact with it as it reversed over her.

Lovelock also admitted assaulting Ms Allan on January 13 at his home. He caused her to fall and then, as she lay on the floor, he bit and kicked her.

She tried to get up and leave but the accused got a knife and told her to stay. She eventually managed to leave the house on Woodside Street, New Stevenston, and phone the police.

Lovelock, who is a prisoner in Addiewell, will be sentenced next month.

Judge Sean Murphy QC called for background reports. Defence QC Tony Graham will make his plea in mitigation when the case next calls.