Man who drove car at girlfriend in drunk rage sent to prison

Romantic night in Anstruther turned ugly after coupled rowed

A man who deliberately drove into his girlfriend while drunk after they fell out during a romantic getaway was yesterday jailed for two years.

Darren Johnstone was on a night in Anstruther with Kay Thomson when a row erupted after they had been out to dinner.

A fight broke out in a pub where Miss Thomson threw her shoe at Johnstone, who then got behind the wheel of his car despite “drinking excessively” beforehand.

He then drove the wrong way down a one-way street before arguing with her as she sat in a doorway in the town’s East High Street.

Depute fiscal Charmaine Gilmartin told Dundee Sheriff Court Johnstone then reversed towards Miss Thomson, striking her as she tried to get out of the way of the moving car.

After he admitted a charge of assault to danger of life, a sheriff told Johnstone only Miss Thomson’s lunge out of the way had prevented her being badly hurt.

Miss Gilmartin told the court: “She was struck briefly on the side as she stood to move out of the way and the car struck a parked vehicle.

“The brakes only illuminate on the car as he hits or immediately before he hits the parked car.

“He drove off then returned on foot and seized her in a headlock and dragged her in the direction of their hotel.

“The argument continues and she falls to the ground.

“The accused then repeatedly kicks her while she is lying on the ground.

“During his second interview with police he admitted he reversed the car ‘to give her a fright’ because she wouldn’t get in. “He conceded he might have hit her.” Johnstone, 29, a prisoner at HMP Perth, pled guilty on indictment to a charge of assault to injury and the danger of life committed on January 28 this year.

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said: “He’s a married man with three children and has reconciled with his wife.

“He is no longer in a relationship with Miss Thomson.

“Alcohol has contributed here to a significant degree.

“Alcohol has become problematic for him since the death of his father.

“He’s aware that his behaviour was completely avoidable and he accepts that the charges here are serious.”

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed Johnstone for two years.

She was struck briefly on the side as she stood to move out of the way and the car struck a parked vehicle