A North East businessman has been jailed for three years and six months after he drove his car at his ex-partner, causing her serious injury.
Jack Naisbett, 31, was giving his ex-partner a lift in his Volkswagen Golf when they became involved in an argument. He dropped her off at a family member's home, and she got out of the car.
Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that Naisbett then drove towards her, and she had to "jump onto his bonnet." Ms Atkinson said Naisbett "heavily applied his brakes," and the victim fell to the ground, fracturing her foot in two places. Naisbett then reversed out of the street and drove off.
Victim's injuries and ongoing impact
The incident occurred at Skelton-in-Cleveland on March 17 this year. In a statement, the victim described having "problems walking" since the incident. She said: "My children have to push me around in a wheelchair - I should be helping them, not the other way around."
The woman was given an ankle boot after being treated in hospital, but she said she has "intense pain at the bottom of her spine" and now feels scared to go out in Skelton in case she sees Naisbett.
Police pursuit and sentencing
Naisbett was arrested and later released on bail. Around three months later, on June 12, he fled from police in a 100mph pursuit after CCTV operators flagged a Mercedes Benz driver. Ms Atkinson said officers indicated for him to stop and pulled in front of him on Redcar High Street. Naisbett initially stopped but reversed and drove away when police approached.
The court heard he drove through a pedestrian alleyway off Bath Street at speed before police deployed a stinger. Ms Atkinson said Naisbett "lost both front tyres but continued driving on the rims." Police laid a second stinger as he drove into Marske, and the Mercedes then "lost control," crashed through a fence, and ended up in a field.
Naisbett, of Woodhay Avenue in Acklam, Middlesbrough, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving; dangerous driving; and driving with no licence or insurance. He has previous convictions for driving offences.
Stephen Constantine, defending, told the court that Naisbett "runs a business with his brother - he does admin, sales and repairs." He said: "He wants to put this behind him and get on with the rest of his life. He recognises this will be without the victim."
Judge Richard Clews told Naisbett: "You effectively used your car as a weapon. When you drove the vehicle forward, it was either collide with her or she'd jump on the bonnet - that's what she did. You then heavily applied the brakes and she fell to the floor. It was deliberate."
Naisbett was jailed for three years and six months. He was disqualified from driving for four years and nine months, and a restraining order was put in place banning him from contacting his victim for the next three years.
After sentencing, Sergeant Chris Lindsey from Cleveland Police said Naisbett had shown "no regard for other drivers or pedestrians" during the police pursuit. He said: "Officers tried numerous times to bring him to a stop, even deploying the stinger and he continued to travel along the road at almost 100mph – it was a very dangerous situation. Upon coming to a stop in the field, Naisbett continued his attempt to evade police, however, was caught and detained. He had no choice but to admit to what he did and face punishment."
