When a breakup ends badly, it can bring out the worst in people. In this case, a woman who swerved in front of her ex’s car and attacked his new partner has been warned that she risks going to jail. Domestic violence is a serious issue and should never be excused or justified. This article will explore the legal consequences of violent behavior in relationships and stress the importance of seeking help and support to break the cycle of violence. Let’s delve into this topic and shed light on the risks of crossing the line when it comes to matters of the heart.
A woman named Yvonne Derby has been given a four-month suspended prison sentence, along with a community service order of 120 hours, after waging a harassment campaign against her ex-boyfriend and his new partner. The judge hearing the case warned Derby that the behaviour needs to “stop, today,” or she will face going into custody for an extended period of time. Derby, aged 40, previously pleaded guilty to a total of twelve charges, which were carried out over the summer of 2019, including two counts of harassment and dangerous driving.
Derby has also been accused of several other incidents, including allegedly breaching a restraining order, tampering with and damaging a car, and displaying disorderly behaviour. The court has heard that these charges were allegedly committed just over a week ago, several weeks after Derby had already admitted guilt to the initial set of charges. She was subsequently made subject to a restraining order while waiting for sentencing.
At Armagh Magistrates Court, Judge Anne Marshall did not hold back in her assessment of Derby’s behaviour. She commented that “this was a sustained campaign against the two injured parties over a period of time, and you have absolutely no regard for court orders.” The judge also expressed scepticism about whether Derby would abide by a suspended sentence. One of the charges which Derby admitted was that she had physically assaulted her ex-partner’s new partner while she was walking her dog. Derby had grabbed her and dragged her down to the ground, shouting that “it was because she stole her man.”
The judge was told that Derby had been warned of the consequences of any further contact being made with the couple, as it would be seen as harassment. Nevertheless, Derby sent social media messages to the victim on the same day and then approached them in her car in Silverbridge. According to a lawyer involved in the case, “They told her to leave them alone, but she began to shout abuse at them.” The couple drove off, but Derby followed them closely, with her full headlights on, before she “overtook at speed, pulled in front of the car suddenly, and then slammed on the brakes, forcing the injured party to take evasive action.” The couple subsequently reported the incident to the police.
It emerged following this incident that Derby was not permitted to drive, given that she had failed to reaply for her license after an earlier ban. A few months later, there was another similarly alarming incident when Derby steered her vehicle towards her ex-partner as he was driving his lorry with his children in the cab, causing him to take evasive action to avoid her. The next day, Derby bombarded her ex’s partner with 24 phone calls in one day, screaming abuse at her. Prior to being arrested, Derby even “contacted the injured party’s mother.”
A lawyer for Derby acknowledged that she denies the later allegations. They commented that ”this is her first taste of incarceration, and there’s a realisation of what the court can do, and that of itself has been a salutary lesson.” The judge, having taken into account the severity of the charges, duly noted the impact that Derby’s behaviour had on her victims. “I have read the victim impact statements about the serious and significant impact that you have had on their lives and the lives of their children and families,” she said.
In addition to being given a suspended sentence and community service, Derby has been banned from driving for the next two years. The outstanding case relating to the more recent offences was adjourned until later this month.
