Burnley man jailed for partner’s M65 ‘ride of terror’ (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley man jailed for partner’s M65 ‘ride of terror’

10:13am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Burnley By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter

TERROR RIDE Anthony Ward

A MAN took his terrified partner ‘prisoner’ in his car and was said to have driven at up to 140mph on the M65 while she begged to be freed, a court heard.

Anthony Ward, 26, was followed by police after a pedestrian heard Sarah Watson shouting: “Let me out,” in Ridge Road in Burnley and alerted officers.

Ms Watson then wrote: ‘Help’ on a piece of paper and held it up as Ward sped down the motorway and then, after he ripped it up, she scrawled a plea for help on the windscreen, Burnley Crown Court was told.

The hearing was told when the defendant was stopped and spoken to by police about his victim’s two-hour ordeal, he told them: “I don’t know what you taking about, I have got bail conditions not to go near her.”

Ward, from Burnley, but of no fixed address, was jailed for 18 months, after he admitted false imprisonment and dangerous driving, on October 5 last year.

He was banned for two years and must take an extended driving test.

He was also given a five-year restraining order, ordering him to keep away from the victim and her home in Wycollar Avenue, Burnley.

Natalia Cornwall, prosecuting, said the defendant and Ms Watson had had an 18-month volatile relationship.

Miss Cornwall said Ward sped off and when the victim told him to slow down, he told her:”I’m doing it because it scares you.”

Ward was eventually stopped by the police in Burnley, and arrested, but claimed Ms Watson was lying to build up the assault case against him. The defendant had two convictions for battery, one against Ms Watson and one against a previous partner.

Patrick Thompson, defending, said Ward was not driving at 140mph, as his Vauxhall Vectra could only do 124mph.

The defendant, who had been on remand for 50 days, did not respond appropriately or well when faced with domestic difficulties.

The barrister said: “He’s very anxious to put all this behind him. He’s very anxious to sort himself out. Clearly, there is a problem with his anger on domestic situations. Clearly, there is a problem with him taking cannabis.”

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt said the incident must have been “nothing short of terrifying” for the victim, although she added: “I cannot understand why she ever got in the car. It defies common sense.”