Woman, 24, ‘used car as a weapon’ as she drove into a mum-of-three, 26, carrying her 20m on the bonnet in row over a man

A MOTORIST who was caught on CCTV using her ‘car as a weapon’ on another woman has been jailed for more than three years.

Bonnie McGuire, 24, deliberately mounted the pavement and ploughed into Ellemae Fitzgerald, 25, in a row over a former boyfriend in Leeds.

Ben Lack

Driver Bonnie McGuire, 24, has been jailed for over three years[/caption]

Ben Lack

The victim, Ellemae Fitzgerald, was carried on the bonnet of the car[/caption]

Ben Lack

The driver deliberately hit the 25-year-old, caught on CCTV[/caption]

Despite being carried on the bonnet of the silver Vauxhall Corsa for 20 metres until she was thrown off unconscious, the mum-of-three suffered only minor injuries.

After a judge viewed the “disturbing” CCTV footage he said it was “quite remarkable that she didn’t suffer serious injury.”

A court heard that McGuire was on a night out at Gipton Working Men’s Social Club, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, on 22 November, last year, when she gave a lift to one of Miss Fitzgerald’s friend’s ex-boyfriends.

Leeds Crown Court heard that at a nearby convenience store McGuire was confronted by the ex-girlfriend, Miss Fitzgerald, and another female.

Prosecutor Chris Smith said McGuire pulled out a knife and then drove off.

“The vehicle drove a short distance up the road before doing a U-turn and came back at high speed and with the engine revving hard,” said Mr Smith.

“Ellemae Fitzgerald was on the telephone with her back to the car, unaware what was going on behind her.

“The Corsa steered towards the pavement before mounting the pavement at speed.

‘DISTURBING’ FOOTAGE

“Her friends jumped out of the way but Ellemae Fitzgerald was struck squarely from behind.”

McGuire, who appeared via video link from New Hall Prison, heard how Miss Fitzgerald was only thrown clear when the defendant steered back into the road.

McGuire drove off and was arrested a week later after police found the car parked up with damage to its bonnet and windscreen.

She denied being the driver, but all three friends picked her out from an ID parade.

She was initially arrested for attempted murder but finally pleaded guilty to attempting to drive dangerously with the intention of causing serious injury.

She also admitted another offence of causing actual bodily harm on another woman after slashing her victim’s forehead with a pen knife.

The court heard Miss Fitzgerald suffered nerve damage physically, but was mentally traumatised.

“It is only extreme good luck that she has been left without the sort of very serious injuries,” said Mr Smith.

Mitigating Keith Harrison said his client has shown “genuine remorse” and has mental health issues.

Jailing McGuire for 38 months, Judge Tom Bayliss QC told her that she used her car as a weapon.

“You knew perfectly well what you were doing and knew you could have caused her very significant injury,” said the judge.

As well as the jail term McGuire is banned from driving for four years and one month.

Ben Lack

Miss Fitzgerald, the victim of the car attack[/caption]

Ben Lack

The driver did a U-turn then rammed into the mum-of-three[/caption]

Ben Lack

The mum-of-three only suffered minor injuries[/caption]