South Yorkshire thug 'terrified ex-partner and new boyfriend by slashing car tyres'

A thug terrified his former partner and her new boyfriend when he slashed tyres on their vehicles during an affray.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 27 how Luke Hatswell, aged 30, of Meadowgate, Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, breached a restraining order by visiting his ex's address in Wath-upon-Dearne.

Laura Marshall, prosecuting, said Hatswell was talking to his ex in the street and she appeared distressed after the defendant had asked her to get in his car and her new partner tried to intervene.

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Ms Marshall said: "The defendant approached her vehicle and pulled something down and stabbed the rear-side tyre. The defendant said this was done with a bottle opener on his key-ring."

A thug has been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after he terrified his ex-partner and her new boyfriend when he slashed tyres on their vehicles.A thug has been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after he terrified his ex-partner and her new boyfriend when he slashed tyres on their vehicles.
A thug has been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after he terrified his ex-partner and her new boyfriend when he slashed tyres on their vehicles.

Hatswell began insulting his ex's new partner and chased him saying he was going to kill him and he swung out with the bottle opener before stabbing a tyre on the man's van, according to Ms Marshall.

The defendant also mounted a kerb in his car as he left forcing his ex and her partner to jump out of the way.

Hatswell pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order, affray, causing damage and to driving without due care and attention after the incident in March.

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The court heard Hatswell's ex-partner and her new partner chose not to support the prosecution case.

Dermot Hughes, defending, said Hatswell flared-up when he realised his ex-partner had no intention of rekindling their relationship.

He added Hatswell has served with the army and there is a suggestion he has post-traumatic stress disorder.

Judge Graham Reeds QC told Hatswell: “You drove onto the road ignoring a restraining order and you confronted her and caused obvious distress.

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“And when her new partner intervened to get her away and into his car you produced a cutting implement and slashed her tyre and threatened to kill him and chased him making slashing motions.

“And you returned to his car and slashed a second tyre and drove off in a manner that made him think you might collide with him.”

Judge Reeds added Hatswell caused “real fear and distress."

He sentenced Hatswell to 24-weeks of custody and imposed eight penalty points on his driving licence.

Hatswell was also made subject to a three-year restraining order.