Pair jailed after running man off a road in Basildon
Hollie Dance, 50, and Thomas Summers, 26, appeared at Basildon Crown Court
Two people have been jailed after they ran a man off the road in Basildon.
Hollie Dance, 50, from Alton Gardens has been sentenced to 4 years in prison, and disqualified from driving for 2 years, after being convicted of causing GBH with intent.
She faced no penalty over a charge of possessing a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas, or other thing.
Thomas Summers, 26, from Alton Gardens has been sentenced to 5 years in prison, and disqualified from driving for 2 years after being convicted of causing GBH with intent.
What happened in October 2022?
The victim was chased in his car by two other vehicles from Westcliff, onto the A127, and in Basildon at around 10pm on the 22nd.
Detectives established that the victim was approached by a group of people, who'd been in a black Toyota Corolla. The victim was blocked in before they started damaging his vehicle with a baseball bat.
Officers examined CCTV, doorbell footage, and automatic number plate recognition cameras, which showed that two vehicles had chased the victim's red Peugeot to Uppermayne.
He called the police while in the vehicle and, when driving down Uppermayne, was rammed by the BMW causing him to strike a tree on the central reservation.
The victim was ejected from the vehicle due to the impact of the collision and the Toyota was then driven at him before it then drove off.
Police officers identified Hollie Dance as the driver of the BMW, and Thomas Summers as the driver of the Toyota.
During interview, Dance claimed she had been involved in a collision with the victim and was following him merely to exchange details, claiming it was actually her vehicle that was rammed. Summers provided no account.
Dance, of Alton Gardens, Southend, and Summers, also of Alton Gardens, Southend, were charged with various offences, which they denied in April.
Court charges in April
Dance was found guilty of GBH with intent and possessing a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas, or other thing.
Summers was convicted of GBH with intent and affray. He was found not guilty of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Acting Detective Sergeant Amy Day, from Basildon CID and who led the investigation, said:
“The actions of Hollie Dance and Thomas Summers were reckless and dangerous.
“They put the victim’s safety at risk but also that of other people on the road.
“They showed clear intent to hurt the victim and the reality is that the outcome of this incident could have had even more serious consequences.
“I am pleased that our thorough investigation has been able to hold them responsible.”