Derbyshire man reversed over his neighbour because she was photographing his car blocking her drive

Nottingham Crown Court was told on Wednesday, September 9, that Joshua Grainger had been on remand since January for these and other offences and had been locked up for eight months already.

Prosecuting, Eunice Opare-Addo said that the victim had spotted Grainger’s car blocking her driveway and had gone out to photograph the vehicle on Grace Crescent, Heanor, where she and Grainger both lived at the time of the offence in December 2019.

She told the court that Grainger had then come storming out of his own property and thrust his mobile phone into her face, shouting, “I can take photos too.”

“She saw the defendant get into his vehicle and turn it on,” she said. “She said she was looking down at her phone when she heard a loud screeching sound and she was then struck by the vehicle. The defendant’s vehicle then started to reverse away and she was able to stagger to her feet.

“The complainant said she was left with pain in her ankle and had suffered from anxiety. She had to take time off work and wasn’t able to help her colleagues in the NHS by working additional time.”

Grainger, 27, and currently of HMP Nottingham also left her with bruising, a sprained ankle and aches and pains.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident which showed the woman being knocked off her feet by the force of the impact and left sprawling on the ground.

The court heard that Grainger had admitted dangerous driving and causing actual bodily harm at an earlier appearance, and had also admitted separate offences of criminal damage and assault when he had appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court in January.

The court also heard that Grainger suffers from Asperger’s and had been receiving help from a support group.

Sentencing Grainger to a 12-month community order to include 20 rehabilitation activity days, Judge John Burgess said: “She could have been killed as a result of what you did. You were very lucky and she was very lucky, although she may not regard it as such.

“Using a car as you did, as a weapon, deserves prison, but you have been inside for eight months and I want to see if we can do something more constructive and have you attending the autism group to stop you from offending again.”

He also banned Grainger from driving for 12 months and ordered that he takes an extended test before he gets his licence back.

Additionally, the judge also issued a restraining order, banning Grainger from contacting his victim for three years, and preventing him from entering the street where they both own properties for 12 months.

In the meantime, Grainger will move in with his parents in the short term on his release from prison.

Editor’s message: Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.