A GRANDFATHER ran over his long-term partner’s leg with his mobility vehicle then told her to “shut up and don’t be silly” as she lay screaming in agony, York Crown Court heard.

Peter Nutbrown, 60, was annoyed because the woman had just knocked the door of his “pride and joy” Kia Sportage as she packed coffee they had just bought, said Liam O’Brien, prosecuting.

He said “watch the paintwork,” then, as the 60-year-old woman with mobility problems was lifting her leg into the passenger seat, he started the car so sharply she fell out onto the ground.

As she lay in the Asda car park in Jockey Lane, York, on April 26, he reversed the car back over her leg.

“I honestly believed he was going to drive straight over me and kill me,” she later told police.

The woman spent three weeks in hospital, underwent three operations and was left with life changing permanent scars to her leg and increased mobility difficulties.

But she pleaded with the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Batty QC, not to jail Nutbrown.

“She says she wants to get back with you for some reason,” the judge told Nutbrown.

“The person you think about is, number one, yourself.”

The judge said Nutbrown had shown no remorse and had played the system for months in the hope the woman would not give evidence against him and he would escape the consequences of his driving.

“You have become uncaring towards her in the recent past. I hope that changes," he said. "Her attitude towards you has in large measure saved you from immediate custody.”

He gave Nutbrown a 21-month prison sentence, but suspended it for two years on condition Nutbrown does a probation course on how to behave in domestic relationships, banned him from driving for two years and ordered him to take an extended driving test.

Nutbrown, of Woodlea Avenue, Acomb, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving on the day of his trial.

The prosecution accepted he had only intended to scare or intimidate the woman and not injure her.

Defence solicitor advocate Susannah Proctor said if Nutbrown went to prison he would lose the council house he had lived in all his life.

There was no-one to look after his 300-plus racing pigeons and the fish in ponds at his house so they would suffer. He also helped other members of his family with their children.

“He has learnt from this incident that perhaps the way he conducts his relationship needs to be generally better,” she said.

The bad driving had been short and he had stayed at the scene.

Mr O’Brien said when a policeman asked Nutbrown if he would like to accompany his partner to hospital, he replied: “No, I will be going home to put the shopping away or it will spoil.”