A MAN who drove his car at his partner during a row, causing her to roll over the bonnet, has walked free from court after being given a suspended sentence.

Michael Grimwood had gone to Stephanie Hooper’s home in Fletcher Road, Ipswich, to show off his new car but ended up having a row with her, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

During the argument he got into his Honda Civic and Miss Hooper, a mother-of-six, had tried to prevent him driving off, said Robert Sadd, prosecuting.

Grimwood reversed the car and then drove forward, striking Miss Hooper and causing her to roll over the bonnet.

She landed in the road and suffered a cut on her chin which needed ten stitches.

She also suffered an injury to her finger.

Grimwood, 36, of Norwich Road, Ipswich, admitted assaulting Miss Hooper, causing her actual bodily harm and was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community and was also told to pay �250 compensation to Miss Hooper.

Richard Conley, for Grimwood, said witnesses had described Miss Hooper throwing a rock at the windscreen of Grimwood’s car.

He said Grimwood deeply regretted the incident and only realised Miss Hooper had been injured when police knocked at his door.