**Court Hears of Shocking Car Park Incident After Relationship Breaks Down**
A man has been jailed after a dramatic car park incident shocked witnesses and left lasting emotional scars on his former partner and her family. Kerry Price, aged 43 and from Merthyr Tydfil, was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court following an explosive episode in which he rammed his then partner’s vehicle down a grassy bank outside her place of work, narrowly missing innocent bystanders and causing widespread distress.
The court was told that Price’s relationship with his partner, which had lasted just over a year, had become increasingly troubled due to his growing jealousy and possessiveness. Matters came to a head after a minor disagreement, which escalated rapidly when Price decided to follow his partner to her workplace. Once there, he forcibly reversed his own car into hers, propelling it down an embankment and into a safety bollard, as her stunned colleagues looked on.
Eyewitnesses to the scene, including horrified workmates, described how the loud noises drew a group out to the car park, only to see Price then reverse again, positioning his vehicle at the car park’s entrance before accelerating towards the assembled group. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, left many fearing for their safety as Price “narrowly avoided” striking a member of the public, according to presiding Judge Vanessa Francis.
To make matters worse, Price’s aggression did not end with the car park confrontation. The court heard that he subsequently sent a series of threatening messages to both his partner and her 61-year-old father. The nature of the messages was so alarming that her father was reportedly reduced to tears, and the intimidation reportedly continued for several weeks.
Reading a victim impact statement in court, Price’s former partner described the profound toll the experience had taken on her and her family. She noted: “My world has fallen apart watching him fall into substance abuse. Letting go has been one of the hardest things I have ever done.” Her heartbreaking words shed light on the far-reaching consequences of the incident.
The court also heard mitigation from defence counsel Hashim Salmann, who stated that Price’s earlier years had been marred by significant trauma, including violent abuse from his father, expulsion from school, and periods of homelessness from a young age. However, Judge Francis found that Price’s offending history was deeply concerning, including a total of 29 previous convictions, 20 of which were related to offences against persons between 1999 and 2002.
Significantly, the judge highlighted that Price had three prior convictions for violence against former partners, involving grievous bodily harm and an incident where he smashed a glass in a partner’s face. Judge Francis remarked during sentencing: “You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself,” making it clear that repeated patterns of violent domestic behaviour would not be tolerated by the courts.
Price pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, harassment, and common assault. For his actions, he received a custodial sentence of 19 and a half months, with the court considering the car park incident as the lead offence. In addition to his prison term, Price was also disqualified from driving for two years, nine months, and three weeks.
While Price’s defence pointed to a troubled upbringing and a gap in recent convictions, the judge made it clear that the severity and persistence of his behaviour could not be excused by his past. The sentencing serves as a stark warning about the consequences of domestic abuse—both emotional and physical—and the importance of seeking help before destructive behaviour spirals out of control.
The case has drawn attention to the struggles faced by families affected by domestic violence and the need for adequate support for victims. As the criminal proceedings conclude, the hope remains that those affected by Price’s actions are able to begin the process of recovery and move forward from this distressing ordeal.