AN ex-boyfriend who drove his car at his terrified former partner – forcing her to jump over a wall – was spared an immediate jail sentence.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Christopher Jones, 42, was at the wheel of his Audi when he targeted his victim in the Bassaleg area of Newport.

Prosecutor Laura Shepherd told Judge Richard Twomlow how the defendant had earlier argued with the woman and put his hand over her mouth.

The court heard how Jones had been convicted of previous offences relating to his victim.

The defendant pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and common assault, the offences being committed on November 14 last year.

Judge Twomlow heard that the victim did not suffer any injuries.

Miss Shepherd said Jones had a previous conviction for dangerous driving dating from 2004 while working as a lorry driver.

Ieuan Bennett, mitigating, said his client had pleaded guilty to the offences.

The judge told Jones: “This is a case where you deserve to go to prison.”

He said that after he had driven at her, the defendant had “persuaded” her to get into the car and had taken her to Warwickshire where they had spend three days.

But, he said, with “some hesitation” he would suspend his jail sentence largely as a result of the pre-sentence report which had been prepared by the Probation Service on the defendant.

Jones was sent to prison for eight months for the dangerous driving and a consecutive term of two months for the common assault, the 10-month total jail sentence being suspended for 18 months.

He was also banned from driving for two years and told he must also sit an extended driving test.

Jones, of Bulkington Road, Bedworth, Warwickshire, was also ordered to attend 29 sessions of the Building Better Relationships domestic abuse programme.

A restraining order was imposed and the defendant must pay a victim surcharge.