Driver jailed for Newcastle car attack on couple which went viral
Written by News on 02/05/2020
A dangerous driver who dragged a woman along a road with his car before mowing down her boyfriend has been jailed.
Daniel Walmsley, 29, was arrested after footage of him driving into a man in Newcastle’s Bigg Market went viral on social media in July, police said.
The video, which was played at Newcastle Crown Court during his sentencing on Friday, showed a woman arguing with the driver of a black Ford Focus on a busy Saturday night.
The driver then quickly reversed and attempted to flee the scene.
In the process the woman was thrown to the ground.
The woman’s boyfriend then began to remonstrate with the driver before the vehicle accelerated towards him.
The boyfriend was hurled across the street as he was hit and crashed against a lamppost before the driver of the Focus sped away from the market.
The couple walked away from the collision without any serious injuries, and did not want to assist with a police investigation into the incident.
Northumbria Police carried out their inquiries without them, and found evidence of an argument before the incident, after viewing CCTV.
The video showed the woman being pushed to the ground by the driver.
Walmsley, of no fixed abode, was identified by officers as the driver and in January he admitted causing actual bodily harm and dangerous driving.
He was sentenced on Friday to two years and one month in prison and banned from driving for five years and two months.
Following the case, investigating officer Detective Constable Phil Hoggins said: “This was a very high profile incident as video footage of the assault was shared thousands of times on social media.”
He said Walmsley’s actions were “dangerous, reckless, and put the lives of innocent people at risk”.
Det Con Hoggins added: “Using your vehicle as a weapon can have serious consequences and both victims in this case were extremely lucky not to suffer any serious injuries.”
(c) Sky News 2020: Driver jailed for Newcastle car attack on couple which went viral
