At one point, the terrified woman was hanging out of the open door
A terrified and panicking woman was kept prisoner in her own car after her bullying ex-boyfriend suddenly overpowered her, grabbed hold of her and forced her into the vehicle before driving off. Daniel Beighton quickly sped away and, at one point, she was left dangerously hanging out of the passenger door after trying in vain to escape.
He drove erratically along the road for about a mile during the frightening incident and he had earlier assaulted her by bending her arm backwards, Hull Crown Court heard. Beighton, 23, of Clifton Gardens, Goole, admitted offences of false imprisonment and assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, on June 3.
Julia Baggs, prosecuting, said that Beighton and the woman were in a relationship from April 2022 to October last year and there were “highs and lows”. She ended the relationship because he pulled her around the bedroom during an argument.
They began to speak again in April this year and started seeing each other. She was driving her car along Rawcliffe Road, Goole, and Beighton was in the passenger seat on June 3 when they began to argue.
“This arguing escalated and the two of them were screaming at each other,” said Miss Baggs. The woman pulled the car over on Broadway Street – but “things got worse”.
She told Beighton to get out of the car but he refused to do so. She decided to carry on driving to her home but, when they arrived, she told him: “Get out. I am done with this relationship.”
Beighton told her: “No, I’m not getting out of your car. I’ll just drive your f***ing car off.” He repeatedly punched the dashboard, setting off the hazard warning lights.
The woman became scared and tried to call her friends, who did not answer. “The defendant kept trying to grab her mobile phone so she couldn’t call anyone,” said Miss Baggs.
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“This went on for some time. He bent her right arm backwards and she got out of the car. She tried to let herself in the back garden of her house but the gate was locked.”
She tried to walk to a friend’s home nearby. Beighton grabbed hold of her with a tight grip and put her on the passenger seat of the car.
“She tried to get out of the car but he sped off and, at one point, she was hanging out of the passenger side door,” said Miss Baggs. Because of the danger, she closed the door, despite not wanting to be in the car. “He was driving erratically,” said Miss Baggs.
“She felt scared. While he was driving, she managed to get her phone back from him and called her mum. She asked her mum to come and collect her.”
Beighton drove down Limetree Avenue, Edinburgh Street and the full length of Boothferry Road before stopping at a garage in Rawcliffe Road. The journey lasted about six minutes and was 1.3 miles long.
“When her mum arrived, the defendant got out of her car and ran off,” said Miss Baggs. The woman suffered scratches on her hand and bruises to her arm from where Beighton bent it back.
She later said: “It has left me feeling helpless, underpowered, dominated, anxious, worried and scared. I had no control over the situation. He has hurt me physically and emotionally.
I now have sleepless nights.”
Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Beighton pleaded guilty, had shown genuine remorse and he had written a letter of apology to the court. His young age was a factor in the offences and he had only one previous conviction, for drink-driving in 2023.
Judge John Thackray KC said that the woman was entitled to feel safe and secure in Beighton’s company but she was overpowered by him. He picked her up and forced her into the car before driving for about a mile. The offences had a profound effect upon her and serious distress was caused.
Beighton was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, 200 hours’ unpaid work, 10 days’ rehabilitation and a 26-day probation service programme. He was given a five-year restraining order.