Man abandoned partner on the A1 in Nottinghamshire after row in van

A van skidded off a 70mph road after its driver pulled up the handbrake during a fit of rage.

Nathan Moar lost his temper when his girlfriend told him she no longer wanted to pursue a relationship with him as they were driving along the A1 near Blyth.

The news infuriated Moar, who according to police punched the steering wheel in anger before pulling the handbrake and bringing the van to an abrupt stop.

He then forced the woman out of the van onto the roadside, where he assaulted her and smashed her phone as she rang her mother for help.

Moar then drove off leaving the woman stranded and unable to ring her mother back. It was two hours before her mother and brother found her distressed on the roadside and took her home.

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A court heard the incident happened on 6 August last year – the night before Moar’s 30^th birthday – and left the victim with post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmares and flashbacks.

Prosecutors said the pair had been in a relationship for a few weeks but fell out after Moar accidentally spilt a drink down himself at a pub in Blyth.

On the drive home, the pair argued and that led to the woman ending the relationship.

Moar, of Hallcroft Road, Retford, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (21 August) having pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage.

The 31-year-old was given a two-year community order comprising 250 hours of unpaid work in 12 months and a building better relationships course.

He was further banned from contacting the victim for five years and ordered to pay her £600 compensation.

PC Lyndon Brown, who led the investigation, said: “This was a very frightening ordeal for the victim and left her feeling extremely anxious and scared.

“There is no excuse for this kind of aggressive behaviour and I am pleased Moar has now been dealt with by the courts.

“I hope this prosecution sends a strong message that we treat domestic abuse extremely seriously and will respond swiftly and robustly to reports made to us.

“I want to reassure anyone who is suffering domestic abuse that Nottinghamshire Police is here to help and support you – you are not alone.

“If you are in danger, please call 999 and we will come to your aid.”