Man tried to smother girlfriend then caused horrific crash as he was fleeing the police
A MAN who almost killed his girlfriend and then caused a horrific crash as he fled from police in a car has been jailed.
Nigel Marston, of Hardy Close, Hinckley, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop for police on October 26.
The 50-year-old also admitted assaulting his girlfriend, causing actual bodily harm, reports news website GrimsbyLive.
Marston, who had been drinking before speeding off, left the victim of the crash in excruciating pain and needing emergency surgery, Grimsby Crown Court heard.
Andrew Bailey, prosecuting, told the court Marston attacked his girlfriend in a Cleethorpes hotel room after they had been arguing earlier in the evening.
He repeatedly punched her in the face and covered her nose and mouth, meaning she could not breathe for 20 seconds.
“She feared for her life,” said Mr Bailey.
The woman managed to break free but Marston put a pillow over her face and pressed it down, telling her: “I’m going to finish what I started.”
She thought she was going to die, but other people managed to get into the room. Marston told the woman: “You’re lucky you’re still alive. I’m going to kill you.”
He drove off in a Seat car and had been drinking but was not over the legal limit. Police followed him and he pulled over.
Officers thought he was going to stop but he sped off and failed to stop despite police sirens and lights.
He ignored those and drove on the wrong side of the road and overtook vehicles. Police put down a stinger device. The car hit the back of a parked Vauxhall Astra in the Weelsby
Road area of Grimsby and shunted it forwards a considerable distance, having hit it at speed.
The car came to a stop 100m further on and Marston was taken out of the driver’s seat.
The car occupant in the driver’s seat was seriously injured and suffered a perforated colon and a bowel injury.
The roof of the car had to be cut and he was unconscious for five minutes.
The father-of-five was in excruciating pain and needed emergency surgery. He had a lot of time off work but had made a full recovery.
Judge David Tremberg told Marston: “You ploughed into an entirely innocent motorist, causing your victim serious injuries.
“It’s a matter of good fortune that you didn’t cause a fatality here.”
Marston, who has previous convictions for assault, was jailed for two years and was banned from driving for three years.
He must pass an extended retest and was given a threeyear restraining order.
David Lee, mitigating, said Marston had expressed remorse and regret and was “not incapable by way of drink” before the crash.
“He is deeply ashamed that he panicked and drove in the way that he did,” said Mr Lee.
“It was a terrible incident for the person that he struck.
“He didn’t appreciate there was a police car behind him when he pulled over.”
You ploughed into an entirely innocent motorist, causing your victim serious injuries