A jilted boyfriend reversed his van in rage at his ex’s new partner.
The man had to leap over a brick wall on Salmonby Road, Scunthorpe, to avoid being struck by the van. He escaped with an injured knee.
At Grimsby Crown Court, Jonathan Chapman, 38, admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and stalking his former partner over six weeks. Chapman, of Scunthorpe, also admitted assault causing actual bodily harm to the man by hitting him with a shovel.
Prosecuting, Ben Hammersley told how last year Chapman’s partner ended their 15-year relationship. Mr Hammersley said: “He did not take to the end of the relationship well. It was all unwanted. She did not want anything to do with him.”
He told how Chapman turned up at her address while intoxicated. There were also a series of incidents in which she spotted him sitting on his electric scooter at the end of her street. He also regularly drove past the home.
On June 15, Chapman drove to Salmonby Road where he believed the woman’s new partner was visiting a friend. He called at the door and when the man answered, he swung a shovel at his head. He then tried to gouge out the man’s eyes, causing cuts.
The prosecutor said Chapman went back to his van and drove off. But when the complainant went out and gestured to the driver. He stopped and reversed at speed.
The man had to jump over a wall, but injured his leg. The van collided with a lamp post. The CCTV footage was shown in court.
Mr Hammersley said nearby Ring doorbell footage captured the moment Chapman saw what he did and said: “I think I have killed him. I hope I did.”
He was arrested on June 16 and denied the charges. Mr Hammersley said the stalking offences had caused his ex-partner anxiety and panic attacks.
For Chapman, Claire Holmes said: “Fortunately the injuries were minor. They are akin to actual bodily harm injuries. This defendant has changed a lot of aspects of his life since this happened. He was in a poor state of mind at the time of committing these offences. He would like to rebuild the relationship with his children.”
Judge Gurdial Singh jailed Chapman for a total of three years and six months. He imposed a five-year Restraining Order, not to contact the complainants nor to go near the street where the woman lives or Salmonby Road. He also banned Chapman from driving for nearly five years.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
