A MAN has been found guilty of a 'brutal and violent' attack which involved putting his victim in the boot of a car.

Scott Meyers, aged 31, of no fixed abode, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court and denied the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

During the four day trial, the court heard the charge related to an incident in the Bridport and Lyme Regis area on Christmas Eve of last year.

In a statement given to police on Boxing Day, the victim claimed that she and Meyers had been drinking in Bridport throughout the day and the mood changed around 9.30pm to 10pm.

She said they got in her car with the defendant driving back to his flat in Lyme Regis with Meyers striking her as she tried to pacify him.

The woman claimed that the car stopped on more than one occasion and they got out of the car and on one occasion she was put in the boot of her car.

When they were back at the flat the alleged victim described being struck by a baseball bat but thought that may have been accidental.

She suffered bruising to her face and a broken nose.

During the trial however, the alleged victim steered away from her original statement telling the court she was taking drugs at the time and couldn't remember the incident or being interviewed by police.

The court heard she made a number of attempts to stop the trial proceeding.

When cross examined, Meyers told the court he and the alleged victim had been engaging in 'horse play' throughout the day.

He suggested the injuries were sustained in an accidental fashion when she fell as a result of a push by him outside the flat.

He denied punching her, putting her in the boot of a car and hitting her with a baseball bat.

Summing up, Recorder James Waddington told the jury both parties agreed actual bodily harm had been caused.

Adding to this, however, he said: "The issue is whether Mr Meyers acted with hostile intent when he caused the injuries."

Jurors took just over two hours to reach a unanimous guilty verdict.

Meyers will reappear at Dorchester Crown Court on June 8 for sentencing.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Declan Cummings, of Weymouth CID, said: "Scott Meyers was responsible for a brutal and violent attack in which he hit and punched his victim before forcing her into the boot of his car.

"He then drove the woman back to his flat and hit her in the face with a baseball bat.

"I am pleased with the verdict of the jury and hope this will serve as a very strong warning to Meyers and abusers like him that this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Dorset. You will be caught and brought to justice."