Driver 'tried to force ex-girlfriend off the road'

Luke Ireland, aged 32, “used his car as a weapon” as he ploughed into his ex, her new partner and their two children, a court was told.

The new partner, struggled to keep the silver Vauxhall Corsa on the road, as Ireland angrily pursed them in Pelsall, Walsall, on June 9, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

In a state of panic, the Corsa driver then crashed into another motorist on Pelsall High Street as he fled from Ireland, the jury was told.

Ireland, of King George Crescent, is standing trial accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm against the couple. He has already pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after ramming the vehicle twice.

Prosecuting, Mohammed Hafeez, said: “It appears the defendant saw them in a chance meeting in their car.

“Whether it was out of jealousy or anger, Mr Ireland has flipped and completely lost control.

“He decided to chase his ex-partner and drive them off the road, that is what he intended to do.

“He drove his Fiat Punto into the back of them with some force.

“The defendant is described as being really angry when they looked in the rear mirror.

“She has tried to raise the alarm and alert him that two young children were in the back.

“The defendant has driven into the back of them for a second time with some force. The driver was just able to keep control of the car.”

The pursuit began on Pelsall High Street, before both vehicles turned onto Ashtree Road where Ireland rammed the vehicle.

Giving evidence at court, the Corsa driver said his vehicle was rammed for a second time and sent him careering over a grass verge.

CCTV was played at court showing Ireland’s car, a yellow Fiat Punto, driving at speed to catch the Corsa along High Street.

Minutes before, the yellow Fiat was seen parked on the side of the road, where the Corsa drove past.

After ramming his car twice, Ireland stopped pursuing the vehicle while the Corsa continued along Pelsall High Street.

But the Corsa driver told the court he was still fearful of Ireland, which is why he continued driving at speed to get away.

He overtook a dark-coloured Vauxhall Astra outside a Co-Op store, and crashed into the vehicle, as the Astra turned into his path.

Mr Hafeez told the jury: “He (Ireland) accepts he was driving dangerously. He has pleaded guilty to that count. But he said he had no intention of causing anyone harm.

“We, the prosecution, say that, when you effectively use a car as weapon, to ram into someone, to cause someone to lose control, that is causing someone serious harm.”

The charges accuse Ireland of attempting to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm.

The trial continues.