A DANGEROUS driver who engaged in a high-speed police pursuit was lucky to escape with his life after crashing his ex-partner’s car.

Matthew Saunders, 33, allegedly “rained down blows” to his former partner’s face after returning to her home following a boozy trip to the pub.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Saunders and the complainant had been in a “stormy” relationship which had ended after around a year.

Hugh Vass, prosecuting, said the woman permitted Saunders to stay at her address for a few days as he was about to start a new job.

But the court heard on August 31 last year, Saunders went out to the pub and was barred from returning to her home.

Mr Vass said: “She phoned at one stage and said he wasn’t welcome, she had formed the view he was drunk.

"Some time later that evening he arrived at her address and knocked on the door. She opened the door and he pushed his way in.”

Mr Vass said an argument followed and Saunders launched an assault, with the complainant describing him “raining down blows” to her face.

The court heard an officer who later arrived at the scene saw a purple bruise on the woman’s chin.

A jury was told the woman fled to a neighbour’s home, where she called the police.

Mr Vass said: “While she was calling the police, she heard an engine being revved and a smashing sound.

“Soon after, she discovered her car had been taken by the defendant.

"He had no right to take it, no permission to take it and no driving licence to drive it.

“There was in due course a high-speed chase along the A12, which ended in a serious collision. The car was a write-of and he was lucky to be alive.”

Mr Vass said in police interview, Saunders claimed he “did not lay a finger” on the complainant.

The court heard he instead asserted he had been the victim of an assault, carried out by his ex-partner, who he claimed was wielding a table leg.

Mr Vass said Saunders told officers he dodged the table leg when it was thrown at him and it struck a television screen, causing it to crack.

Mr Vass said: “The prosecution say the reason he legged it when the police arrived is because he had something he knew he’d done wrong.

“Otherwise, why escape from the police?”

Saunders, of Saxon Gardens, Shoeburyness, has admitted charges of dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.

He denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm and causing criminal damage to the television.

  • A trial continues.

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