Ormskirk man jailed after driving car at his estranged wife

An Ormskirk man has been jailed for the attempted murder of his estranged wife.

Mark Gibbons (pictured above), 62, of Bold Lane, Ormskirk, has today (Monday 25 March) been sentenced to 12 years in prison after he admitted to deliberately driving a vehicle at his estranged partner in July last year.

He was also given an extended licence of three years and 18 year driving ban.

We received a number of 999 calls shortly after 10:15am on Monday 23^rd July 2018 reporting a collision between a car and a pedestrian on Aughton Street, Ormskirk.

The car – a Citroen DS3, mounted the pavement, colliding with 62 year old Dr Julia Woolgar.

She suffered injuries and severe bruising to her lower body and was taken to Aintree Hospital.

CCTV revealed that Gibbons drove into her four times, at one point pinning her against a wall.

Dr Woolgar’s screams alerted members of the public who bravely stepped in to help. One man managed to pick her up from the ground, while another smashed the car window and pulled the keys from the ignition.

Gibbons was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and later pleaded guilty to the offence at Preston Crown Court.

Gibbons had previously been convicted of stalking against Dr Woolgar and was issued a restraining order on 18^th July – just five days before the incident.

DC Jo Collinson of Lancashire Police, said: “Gibbons carried out this act with the intention of causing serious harm to Dr Woolgar and it is some kind of miracle that she escaped with only minor injuries. The lasting emotional damage this will have on her, however, cannot be underestimated. Our thoughts remain with her at this difficult time but I hope today’s conclusion to the legal proceedings can give her some closure.

“At the request of Dr Woolgar I would also like to thank the many public witnesses who have supported our investigation – particularly those who intervened on the day. Two men in particular were handed bravery awards at the Chief Constable’s Commendations in November 2018. I have no doubt that their quick thinking and selfless actions helped to save her life. They too will have been affected by witnessing such a public act of violence.

“I welcome today’s sentence which will see a dangerous man put behind bars for a significant amount of time.”