Man who drove car at neighbour set to be sentenced in new year

Sentencing in the case of Matthew Jarman at Ipswich Crown Court was adjourned in October after Recorder Ian Evans expressed concern after viewing CCTV that he had been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm on his neighbour Ian Davey and not a more serious charge.

A charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm was subsequently added by the Crown Prosecution Service but today, after hearing legal argument from barristers in the case, Judge Martyn Levett ruled that charge should be discontinued and Jarman should be sentenced on the original assault charge which he had admitted.

A hearing will now take place in the New Year when evidence will be called to enable Judge Levett decide how to sentence him on the assault charge and offences of common assault and possessing an offensive weapon which he has also admitted.

In CCTV footage of the incident played to the court 42-year-old Jarman can be seen driving into Mr Davey on his driveway, in Eustace Road, Ipswich, before running at Thomas Ball, another neighbour, with an axe.

Mr Davey had just arrived home after picking up his six-year-old son from school when the attack happened at about 3.30pm on July 20.

The court has heard that the attack began after Mr Ball – who is married to Mrs Davey’s sister – confronted Jarman about damage carried out to their car.

Juliet Donovan, prosecuting, said Mr Davey had been about to help his son from a booster seat when he heard Jarman’s 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 underwent surgery to ruptured quadriceps, and to reattach knee ligaments.