Sentencing in the case of an Ipswich man who drove his car into a neighbour, before charging at another with an axe, has been adjourned after a judge decided prosecutors had called for an unduly lenient punishment.
Mr Recorder Ian Evans interrupted proceedings after seeing CCTV footage of Matthew Jarman driving into Ian Davey on his driveway, in Eustace Road, Ipswich, before running at Thomas Ball with an axe.
Mr Davey’s wife, Helen, last night said she was pleased Mr Evans had delayed sentencing after seeing footage of the attack, since which, Jarman pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm, assault by beating and possessing an offensive weapon.
Mr Evans told Ipswich Crown Court: “It seems this offence has not been charged with the gravity to which I’ve seen on CCTV.”
He said the video showed ‘conduct way outside the ambit’ of sentencing guidelines for charges brought by the prosecution service, which he insisted address him before court reconvenes.
Mrs Davey said Jarman should have been charged with attempted murder for driving into her husband, who had just picked up their autistic six-year-old son from school when the attack happened at about 3.30pm on July 20.
Prosecutor Juliet Donovan said the attack began after Mr Ball – who is married to Mrs Davey’s sister – confronted Jarman about damage carried out to their car.
She said there had been ‘general ill-feeling’ between the neighbours – and by Jarman towards Mr Davey – who was about to help his son from a booster seat when he heard the car approaching.
After colliding with Mr Davey’s legs, Jarman reversed from the driveway and parked at the top of Eustace Road, where he grabbed an axe and ran towards Mr Ball at the moment police arrived.
Officers said Jarman threw the axe aside and kicked Mr Ball five times, before being brought down by incapacitant spray.
Mr Davey, who thought Jarman had intended to do him ‘serious harm’, underwent surgery to ruptured quadriceps, and to reattach knee ligaments.
Jarman, 42, has two previous convictions for causing physical harm to another person, one for behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and a caution for common assault.
Paul Donegan, defending, had not presented mitigation when Mr Evans adjourned the hearing – due to resume on Friday morning.
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