Sheffield driver used ‘car like a weapon’ and shattered man’s legs

A Sheffield man who drove his car at a man who owed him money and shattered both his legs has been locked up, a court heard.
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Ryan Marshall headbutted the man and hit him with a bar when they met by chance at a family barbeque at an address in Gleadless, at 11pm, on May 6, 2018, prosecutor Nicola Quinney said.

Marshall's victim managed to escape and ran back to his father's house.

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Marshall drove his blue BMW at around 20mph and mounted the pavement before crushing the man's legs against his own car.

Ryan Marshall.Ryan Marshall.
Ryan Marshall.

His victim spent four days in intensive care and two months in hospital with multiple breaks to both legs. He was left with open fractures where the bones pierced the skin in both legs and needed three operations.

He was left "bedridden" and needed to use a wheel-chair and a zimmer frame, said Ms Quinney. His legs were in braces. It was feared that he might lose one of his legs.

A surgeon later said his right leg has healed relatively well, but the left leg is not fully healed and he still needs a walking brace. Further surgery on it will be difficult.

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Richard Barradell, mitigating, said Marshall has no previous convictions and was 22 at the time. He has a "worrying" and "debilitating" health condition.

"He didn't go there looking for trouble," he said. "But in effect trouble came for him. He tried to resolve the matter but tempers frayed.

"He panicked and wanted to get away. He had to turn his car in the cul-de-sac. He didn't intend the extent of the injuries. It was a terrible misjudgment on his part. He wishes he could turn the clock back."

Marshall 24, of Ochre Dyke Close, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and common assault, in December.

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Mr Justice Nicklin said: "Those who use a car as a weapon can have no complaint when they are imprisoned."

Marshall received 24 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody and will then be released on licence. He was banned from driving for three years and must take an extended re-test.