Chester Crown Court suspends Broughton's Paul Rudd sentence

Paul Rudd, 58, of Mold Road in Broughton, was sentenced to 17 months in prison – suspended for 18 months – for causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Wrexham man Adrian Boakes, following an incident in the early hours of Saturday, February 7, in Dodleston, near Chester.

He had previously denied attempted murder but admitted the new charge plus grievous bodily harm.

Appearing at Chester Crown Court on Friday, Rudd faced a custodial sentence and came prepared with a packed bag.

Oliver King, prosecuting, reminded Judge Steven Everett of the facts of the case that on the date, Rudd was witnessed driving his vehicle at Mr Boakes in Dodleston.

Mr King said: “Aiden Boakes retracted his complaint and co-operation with the prosecution and made it clear that he was under no pressure to do so.

“The guilty plea for dangerous driving was made between his magistrate and crown court appearances.

“He veered onto the kerb in a moment of madness when he saw Mr Boakes with his wife.

“He accepted that this was dangerous driving.

“They are not strangers – it is an unhappy relationship as Mr Boakes and Rudd’s wife had previously had an extra-marital affair.

“That ended in February this year.

“Rudd’s wife was out and the defendant suspected that she was going to meet with Mr Boakes that night and in messages exchanged, he said he wanted to fight him and would run him over if he saw him.

“Knowing they were in Chester, Rudd drove there too and found Mr Boakes with his wife and her friend in a pub.

“Rudd left and then eventually they did too, but Rudd parked his car outside the address in Dodleston that they went to and when he saw Mr Boakes, he drove at 10mph at him before he applied the brakes.

“While there were witnesses to it, it was Rudd who called an ambulance for the victim who was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises to forehead and face, fractured nose and cheek bone, concussion and swelling.

“He had a laceration to his left kidney, which was most serious but he has since made a full recovery.”

Mr King added that Rudd has no previous convictions and asked Judge Everett to order a mandatory two-year disqualification with an extensive re-test.

Owen Edwards KC, defending, told a tale of a man who was ‘deeply remorseful’ who was a former Naval officer and man described as ‘cool-headed and calm’.

“There is also an embarrassment factor to the background for all involved,” he added.

“There is a letter from his brother about ‘how out of character this is for not just a brother or a friend, but the man who has completed Saharan marathons and is Godfather to his child’.

“The reference from his brother also highlights how good he is for their parents.

“We are dealing with a man here who the reasons for suspending this sentence are manifest.

“He understands and accepts that the court would say this is a serious matter with a serious outcome.

“But he is a man with a realistic chance of rehabilitation and doesn’t present a high risk of harm.

“You are dealing with a contrite man.”

Sentencing, Judge Everett said: “It is what you described as a moment of madness and I’m quite prepared to accept that.

“I also accept that you were under huge pressure during that moment, given the background between you, Mr Boakes and your wife, when you mounted that pavement.

“I do bear in mind that before you hit him, you pressed the brakes before you hit him.

“But hit him you did and you caused him serious injury and I must sentence you for that.”

Rudd was also handed up to 40 rehabilitation activity days, ordered to pay costs of £1,200 and a driving disqualification for two years with an extended re-test.

He was given no separate penalty for the GBH.