A man has been jailed following a domestic assault which culminated in him driving his car at his victim and his child in the car park of the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske.

Mark Wiggans, aged 55 from Walberton, West Sussex, was sentenced to two years imprisonment at Truro Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to two breaches of non-molestation order; two counts of criminal damage; affray and dangerous driving.

Footage shown in court showed how Wiggans recklessly rammed the car of his victim containing his estranged wife, Tina Wiggans, and one of their children in the hospital car park. Wiggans also struck a member of hospital staff when attempting to flee the area. Wiggans was later arrested by Wiltshire police.

Detective Constable Yvan Clarke from the Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse Investigation Team (SODAIT), said: “The conviction of Wiggans is the culmination of an extensive cross-border police operation. The victim and her children fled West Sussex due to the domestic abuse they suffered at the hands of Wiggans, and came to Cornwall to rebuild their lives away from this man.

“He continually ignored non-molestation orders and harassed the victim with impunity. Wiggans then tracked down his estranged wife to Treliske and attacked her during a terrifying ordeal which took place at the Royal Cornwall Hospital on the 24th of August.

“He first attempted to attack his victim when stabbing at her car window with a knife. Tina then drove to the rear of the hospital to flee Wiggans, who with no regard for her safety or that of others at the scene, used a hire vehicle to destroy her car by ramming it several times.

“Inside the car were his estranged wife Tina, two friends and also Wiggans’ ten-year-old child. He then reversed at speed, hitting a member of hospital staff. Thanks to the quick actions of hospital staff who bravely intervened, this incident ended sooner than it might have done otherwise.

“Wiggans then went on the run, covering his tracks and was eventually located in Wiltshire and has today been brought to justice."

DC Clarke added: “The victim to this day still fears for her life and those of her children, and this ordeal has left her emotionally drained and constantly on edge. We hope this sentence will allow her and the kids to no longer live in fear and to start to rebuild their lives.

“We hope that this sentence will show the public that you do not have to live as a victim of abuse. If you are a victim of domestic abuse then please find the courage to come forward to the police.

“The Force mission of Devon and Cornwall Police prioritise the protection of the vulnerable, and this case represents that commitment. We will help you, we will support you, and we will do everything in our power to ensure domestic abuse perpetrators do not get away with their crimes.”