By Sara Malm

|

A woman who risked the life of an antiques shop owner by driving away with him grasping onto her car bonnet escaped jail after a judge heard she was high on speed at the time.

Mandy McGuigan, 42, had visited Simon Webster's store in Yorkshire Dales to sell a painting but after being refused reversed into his store as she tried to drive away.

Mr Webster rushed out of the shop and, thinking Ms McGuigan was drunk, tried to stop her from leaving by standing in front of the car - when she suddenly sped off, knocking him onto her bonnet.

Scroll down to see the moment this happened...

McGuigan, left, leave court after she pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and Simon Webster pictured outside Bradford Crown court after the verdict today

Mandy McGuigan speeds off with Webster on her car bonnet

Mandy McGuigan speeds off in her Peugeot 307 despite shop owner Mr Webster have clung to her car bonnet

Bradford Crown Court heard how 46-year-old Mr Webster, manager of Heathcote Antiques, took a  stand to prevent her from harming other road users but ended up clinging on for dear life as the Peugeot 307 took off speeding through a red light on the wrong side of the road.

He was flung off and suffered a broken shoulder with lacerations to the back of the head and knee.

Judge Jonathan Durham-Hall QC said it was with ‘obvious reluctance’ that he handed out a suspended sentence but a psychiatric report stated that McGuigan would relapse into substance abuse if she was jailed.

The court heard that McGuigan, from Colne, Lancshire, has now turned her back on seven years of drink and amphetamine abuse.

She was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years after she pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving on 22 June, last year.

Webster initially signals to McGuigan in her car after suspecting that she had reversed into his shop

Webster initially signals to McGuigan in her car after suspecting that she had reversed into his shop

CCTV footage from the day shows black smoke coming out of McGuigan's car exhaust as she revs the engine and then drives off with Mr Webster hanging onto the bonnet.

Traffic sergeant Peter Stringer, of North Yorkshire Police, said: ‘ She drove away at speed, through a red traffic light into heavy traffic and taking a sharp bend, at which point Mr Webster fell off. She didn’t stop and carried on driving all the way home to Lancashire.

‘Her demeanor in the shop gave Mr Webster concern and he acted in a proper manner.

After the case at Bradford Crown Court Mr Webster said he accepted the judge’s sentence.
Mr Webster, standing beside his daughter Jade, 22, said: ‘I’m still in pain, but at least I escaped with my life. I could have been killed that day.

‘It was a horrific experience, but I hope it works out for her because we all have to move on.

‘It was lucky that she was driving on the wrong side of the road because if she’d been on the correct side I would have come off and hit a wall, then I dread to think what would have happened, she could have been facing a murder charge.

‘I don’t know what I would do if I was in the same position again, maybe I would do the same.’

Mr Webster described the event which occurred almost a year ago to the date: 'After she left the shop I heard a bang which made all the windows shake and I ran outside to find she had reversed into the building.

He then leans on her vehicle after she ignores his pleas which eventually sees her speed off with him on the bonnet

He then leans on her vehicle after she ignores his pleas which eventually sees her speed off with him on the bonnet

'I approached her to point out what she had just done and was greeted by some very choice language indeed, words you wouldn’t hear on Lovejoy.

'I told the lads who work with me to phone the police because I didn’t think she was capable of driving and I stood one foot in front of her car to prevent her driving away, but then she hit the gas and I was knocked onto the bonnet.

'I was clinging on for dear life, but I realised she had no intention of stopping or slowing down and at a tight bend I was thrown onto the road.'

'I was screaming at her to stop but she wouldn’t. I didn’t think she would stop so I had to launch myself off.'

Judge Durham-Hall QC also ordered her to complete 300 hours unpaid work in the community, be supervised for two years, wear an electronic tag, and obey a 7pm-7am curfew for six months.

She has also been banned from driving for two years and must retake a driving test before she is allowed back on the road.

McGuigan must also pay Mr Webster 750 compensation.

Judge Durham-Hall said Mr Webster was rightly concerned by her behaviour whilst in Heathcote Antiques, in Cross Hill, near Skipton, and believed she was drunk.

‘Especially when you reversed your car into his shop, making a very loud noise, he and others rushed out to take action, said the judge.

‘It is clear that he showed remarkable bravery and scant regard for his own safety and that it to be commended.

‘He stood infront of your car and was carried away by your car - you knew exactly what you were doing.’

McGuigan was due to stand trial for causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but the prosecution accepted her plea that she didn’t intend to injury Mr Webster.

Prosecutor Miss Abigail Langford said McGuigan had previous convictions for offences against the police.

A psychiatric report stated she maybe on the bi-polar spectrum, but now she is in a steady relationship and has stopped taking drugs and drink she is able to manage her condition better.

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

"...she is in a steady relationship and has stopped taking drugs and drink she is able to manage her condition better" Well then, if that's all it takes to walk at the Bradford Crown Court, I would run out and rob a bank while I could still "manage my condition."

Oh so that's okay is it? She was high and he didn't die, so all is well? She could have had some sort of treatment whilst serving her sentence........nothing to deter her now to become a repeat offender is there!

"The court heard that McGuigan, from Colne, Lancshire, has now turned her back on seven years of drink and amphetamine abuse." No she hasn't Judge, she and her lawyers are lying to you to keep her out of jail, how can you be so naive! Also, if putting her into jail will make her go back on drugs then we should change our jails so no drugs can get in at all, even if it means being a bit barbaric, because if jail was a terrible place, fewer people would be happy to be in there. She should be banged up for ten years, dangerous, weak minded foolish creature.

Surely driving under the influence of drugs is sufficient reason for her to be goaled.

Since when has being drugged up been a valid excuse for endangering someone's life? Since now, apparently. Even though she has form. Obviously another latter day hippy, left wing, not fit for purpose judge

High on speed at the age of 42? Think she needs to grow up!

Judge Jonathan Durham-Hall QC said it was with obvious reluctance that he handed out a suspended sentence but a psychiatric report stated that McGuigan would relapse into substance abuse if she was jailed. ========= another idiotic ruling. This woman should have been jailed, no excuses. So what if she relapses into substance abuse - she will be abusing substances tonight to celebrate. The only thing obvious in this case is the obvious absence of any intelligence or common sense in the Judge!

WELL THAT'S A BIT STUPID, she should get double as she was committing 2 crimes!!!

That fact that she was high on speed should have meant prison to begin with - she was a danger to the public and obviously still is!! I thought drug taking was illegal!

So lets get this right. She was on speed. Speed if i'm correct is a drug ! And driving in a drug induced state is against the law ! DOH ! Another bewigged buffoon.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.