❌CHRISTOPHER DACRE – PRESTON❌
Preston Man Dragged Former Partner Alongside Car After Facebook Row
Preston, September 2023 – A man who dragged his former partner alongside a moving car after she refused to add him on Facebook has been handed a suspended jail sentence.
Christopher Dacre, 38, of Heathfield Drive, Preston, became enraged when the mother of his children told him she no longer wanted a relationship. On 7 September 2023, he arrived at her home late at night, threatening to wake the children if she did not let him inside.
The following morning, Dacre returned and launched a violent assault. Preston Crown Court heard how he snatched her phone and car keys before shoving her to the ground. As he drove off, she was left clinging to the car door and dragged across the ground until she managed to free herself.
One of the couple’s children witnessed the terrifying incident, shouting to a neighbour: “my mummy, my daddy.”
Dacre had originally denied charges of dangerous driving and common assault but later changed his pleas to guilty.
Victim Impact
The victim told the court the attack had left her traumatised, forcing her to move home and take leave from work. In a statement, she explained:
“Since the event happened I have been prescribed sertraline because I was struggling to leave my address as this was where the incident happened. I have attended counselling through work and had victim support. I had six weeks off work due to anxiety and depression and was given two weeks’ sickness leave from doctors and compassionate leave from work.”
Judge’s Remarks
Judge Michael Maher condemned Dacre’s controlling behaviour, telling him: “She didn’t want to be controlled by you. You came around to the house and threatened to make a scene. This was dangerous and deeply frightening behaviour.”
Sentence
- 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months
- 120 hours of unpaid work
- 12-month driving ban
- Five-year restraining order preventing contact with the victim