Merthyr Driver Jailed for Deliberate Hit and Run Attack

A 35-year-old man has been jailed after deliberately driving onto a grass verge and running over another man’s leg following an argument in Merthyr Tydfil. 🚨

Daniel Jones was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The court heard that the victim, Jamie Price, was walking down Heol Tai Mawr with his brother and sister on July 13 last year when Jones and his brother drove past in a Volkswagen Passat. After the car stopped, Jones’ brother got out and began arguing with Mr Price, who fell onto a grass verge during the confrontation.

Prosecutor James Evans told the court that Jones then “deliberately” drove the Passat onto the grass verge and ran over Mr Price’s right leg before driving away “without any concern for what had happened”.

Mr Price was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with serious injuries, including fractures to his tibia and fibula, with bones piercing through the skin. He required two operations under general anaesthetic to have metal and wire inserted into his leg and needed a skin graft.

During sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams told Jones: “What you did that Saturday morning was outrageous and too serious to be dealt with by anything other than immediate imprisonment.”

The court heard Jones, of Heol Twyn Du, has 19 previous convictions for various offences including affray, aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving, battery, robbery, burglary, and wounding.

In mitigation, Andrew Davies said his client was “remorseful” and that his family is “close and friendly” with the victim. He added that Jones had “significant difficulties” with heroin and alcohol as well as mental health issues and anxiety.

In addition to his prison sentence, Jones was disqualified from driving for five years upon his release. 🚗⛔