WESTHOUGHTON MAN JAILED FOR DELIBERATELY RUNNING DOWN WIFE
1997: Darrell Gavin, aged 44 and residing on Collingwood Way in Westhoughton, was convicted at Bolton Crown Court of intentionally inflicting serious bodily harm on his wife, Anne, on Sunday, May 4.The court was told that he purposely drove at her with his Ford Granada along Church Street in Westhoughton.
Gavin denied intentionally causing harm, claiming he only intended to scare her.
Nevertheless, the court reported that Anne was pushed against a house and sustained severe leg injuries that required extensive surgical intervention.
Mrs Gavin, who is the mother of three and is pursuing a divorce while waiting for her decree absolute, appeared in court in a wheelchair to testify.
Prosecutor Mr Alaric Bassano detailed her injuries, including a double fracture of the right leg, a fractured pelvis, a broken nose, and head wounds.
Her leg had flesh torn from it, and during her hospital stay, she received a muscle graft from her back to repair the damage, with further surgeries still anticipated.
Mr Bassano explained that the couple’s relationship had deteriorated the previous year, leading Mrs Gavin to initiate divorce proceedings despite her husband's opposition.
When Gavin encountered her walking in Church Street on May 4, he again asked for reconciliation, becoming emotional and tearful.
His emotions then shifted to anger, and he demanded she enter his car, but she refused and walked away.
Suddenly, he reversed his vehicle onto the pavement behind her, and he stopped his car and confronted her, saying, “Look at what you have made me do now.” Gavin was later detained and admitted to past suicide attempts.
He tested negative for alcohol within legal limits.
While giving evidence, Gavin collapsed in court.
He maintained that his sole intention had been to frighten his wife, and admitted to a lesser charge of unlawful grievous bodily harm.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service rejected this plea, insisting he be tried for the more serious offence.
Following his conviction, it was disclosed he had prior convictions for assaulting his wife and for violent conduct at a police station.
