Jealous driver carried out hit-and-run on love rival

A jealous man who carried out a hit-and-run on a man he believed was his ex-partner's new lover has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years.

Stephen Diamond struck David Doak while driving a Ford Focus, before reversing over his victim as he lay on the ground.

The 39 year-old had previously confronted ex-girlfriend Kirsty Spence as she left a hotel with Mr Doak that morning.

Diamond pleaded guilty to four charges, including assaulting Mr Doak to his severe injury and to the danger of his life, before being sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

The victim survived but was left with a catalogue of serious injuries.

Miss Spence and Mr Doak had gone to spend a night at a Premier Inn hotel in Greenock, Inverclyde.

Diamond told a man he was going to confront his ex as he suspected she was seeing someone else and turned up at the hotel to demand if Miss Spence was there.

He stormed off after he did not get an answer, but sat in his car outside and waited for them to emerge.

When they appeared, Diamond confronted them and aimed a string of insults at Miss Spence.

Diamond eventually let them leave, but followed them close to Mr Doak's street.

He proceeded to drive at Mr Doak with such speed that the collision dented the car bonnet and smashed the windscreen, before then reversing at speed over the victim.

Mr Doak suffered very significant injuries including fractures to his spine, ribs and pelvis as well as bruising to both lungs.

He needed emergency treatment and had to be put on a ventilator. The victim was only able to leave hospital on crutches more than three weeks later.

The court heard Diamond had handed himself into police shortly after the attack, but claimed he had been acting in self-defence and that what occurred was an accident.

After appearing court and being bailed, he was told not to go near Mr Doak and Miss Spence.

However, on 12 September he turned up at Miss Spence's home and stormed in, where he punched and bit Mr Doak.

He was arrested that afternoon.

Simon Gilbride, defending, said Diamond wanted to offer his "profuse apologies" for what happened and that it had been "out of character".

Judge Louise Arrol imposed indefinite non-harassment orders banning Diamond from approaching or contacting the victims.