A MAN has been jailed for more than a year after driving into his partner’s house before attempting to drive into a police vehicle and fleeing through a river.

Joshua Stephens had been drinking prior to the offences, in Knighton just after Christmas in 2022. His ex had to flee to a neighbour's house after she heard a loud bang at her front door in the early hours of December 28, and saw that Stephens had smashed his Renault Kangoo van into the front porch of her house.

Stephens – who was on licence at the time, having been released from a previous two-year jail sentence for violence – was jailed for 14 months at Mold Crown Court on Monday, June 12.

The 29-year-old was eventually arrested after police officers found him wandering along the A4113 near Knighton with no shoes or socks on.

Prosecutor James Coutts said the victim had been in an on-off relationship with Stephens for about three years before the event at her Victoria Close home, and said they had been drinking on the night of December 27.

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“There was some altercation which resulted in the defendant punching a bedroom door three times, which led to a hole appearing in the door," Mr Coutts said. "The defendant had a cut hand, leaving blood on the door.

“He left the house and Kimberley Prosser locked the door. She got dressed and then went to leave, but when she opened the door she realised he was outside. She went to hide in the lounge and work out what she should do.

“She then heard a massive bang against the front door, she looked through the window and could see he had driven his van into the front porch. She was so worried she fled through the back door and hid in a neighbour’s garden."

When police officers arrived at about 7am, they could see that the pillars of the porch had been knocked out of their grounding and the front door was damaged, Mr Coutts added.

“Officers found the victim hiding in a neighbour’s garden," he said. "The defendant’s vehicle was found in an industrial estate in Knighton shortly after. It was pulled up and the driver was talking with a driver of another vehicle.

“The defendant locked his door, reversed his vehicle towards the police vehicle and drove away. It was obviously damaged and was blowing heavy smoke.

“It was located 10 minutes later, crashed into hedge two miles away on the A4113. The vehicle was abandoned.

“He was found half an hour later walking along the same road with no shoes or socks on. He was arrested and officers noticed alcohol on his breath. He became aggressive and pretended to spit at them. He had to be taken to floor.”

Stephens had previously admitted charges of criminal damage and dangerous driving at the lower court, while an assault on Ms Prosser was withdrawn.

He said Ms Prosser’s landlord Sue Morris had been left in “disbelief” at the “significant” costs of the damage caused.

He added Stephens had a number of previous convictions, including nine for criminal damage and one incident on an aeroplane, and was on licence at the time of this incident.

Representing Stephens, who has been in prison at HMP Berwyn since his arrest, Simon Mintz emphasised the poor state of his client’s mental health at the time.

“There is evidence of an inability to control his feelings during the relationship,” said Mr Mintz.

“He does not have an enviable record. He drove deliberately at the front porch but I don’t think he put people in danger of injury, but there was substantial damage caused to the house and another vehicle.

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“He was uncooperative on arrest, he went into a river and was then arrested. It us a reflection of his behaviour in the past.”

Judge Niclas Parry told Stephens: “You are not yet 30 and have convictions for 67 offences already, and you were on licence following a two-year prison sentence when these offences were committed.”

He said he accepted Stephens was genuinely remorseful, but jailed him for 14 months and granted a restraining order for five years.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and must take an extended re-test when his ban is up. He must also pay a £156 surcharge on his release from prison.