Stokesley man rammed van into car and sent threatening messages

James Beard <i>(Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE)</i>
James Beard (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

A man rammed a woman's car on Boxing Day in a neighbourly row, weeks after telling her husband that he was 'coming for' him, and threatened he'd 'die tonight'.

James Beard had known the victim for around two years before he sent the threatening messages.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 36-year-old said he had petrol cans with him and he was on his way during phone calls.

Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, said the dispute became more intense on Boxing Day when the victim was heard a loud bang outside his caravan.

He said: “He ran outside to see Mr Beard in a tipper van having driven into his wife’s vehicle causing significant damage to the door.”

Mr Pettengell said Beard was arrested later that day on Stokesley High Street while trying to drive the van and was clearly intoxicated – the was more than three times the legal driving limit.

The court heard how Beard was also involved in separate incident in Carlisle on January 16 this year when he drove off in a delivery van before being pursued by the driver.

Mr Pettengell said: “The defendant saw the delivery driver and deliberately sped up, hitting the man and throwing him back into a parking space. He suffered a deep cut to his hand and bruising to his arm and leg.”

James Beard (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

The court heard he drove dangerously as he sped away while weaving in and out of traffic before a police vehicle blocked his path as he drove along the A7 towards the M6.

Beard, of Thirsk Road, Stokesley, pleaded guilty to drink driving, dangerous driving, criminal damage and harassment following the December 26 incident.

He also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, theft, drink driving and driving without insurance following his arrest on January 16.

Robert Mochrie, mitigating, said his client had not had his pre-sentence report carried out but was fully expecting a custodial sentence as a result of his convictions.

Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced Beard to a total of 28 months and four weeks for all offences.

He said: “You lived in the caravan opposite the victim and for some reason had taken against him.



“You made a video call in which you made very serious threats to kill him, and you had petrol cans in your van.

“Living in a caravan with his children and you threatening that you had petrol cans must have been truly terrifying.”

Beard was also banned from driving for four years, two months and four weeks.

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos