Banned Doncaster driver 'used his car as weapon' to ram ex’s vehicle

Luke Crowcroft bumped into the back of the woman's car at traffic lights on Watch House Lane, Doncaster, as she drove to collect her daughter from school, on October 21.

He did the same thing at the next set of lights, pulled up level with her and made threats, prosecutor Neil Coxon told Sheffield Crown Court, on Thursday.

She described herself as "terrified" and said the incident caused her to move home.

Crowcroft assaulted the woman by slapping her and pulling her around the floor, on August 23, but denied the matter when he appeared in court, on October 1.

He was bailed on condition he had no contact with the woman, said Mr Coxon.

Crowcroft, aged 25, of Fourth Avenue, Woodlands, pleaded guilty to the assault, dangerous driving, driving without insurance or a licence, and intimidating a witness, at the magistrates' court, on October 24.

Since his remand to prison, he said Crowcroft's partner had received three letters from HMP Hull, signed by his nickname "Beastie Boy."

"The letters are not threatening, but she is feeling vulnerable and doesn't want to receive any further correspondence," Mr Coxon said.

In a statement, the woman said: "I am truly worried about the future when Luke is released."

Cheryl Dudley, mitigating, said Crowcroft, who has one previous conviction for drink driving, has been in custody for four weeks.

"He accepts that he pushed her and she staggered and he caused the injuries," she said, but added that the dangerous driving was "not at speed or over a long distance."

"There is still the opportunity to address the issues raised by the probation service," she said.

Judge Robert Moore QC told him: "You used your car as a weapon while you were on bail for assaulting your partner."

He jailed him for a total of 15 months, and imposed a five year restraining order, forbidding Crowcroft from contacting his ex, her mum, her daughter and a friend. He was also banned for 19 and a half months.