Date Anger Lead to Crash

For the Wear Valley Mercury (Oct 29)

By Ryan Pilot

A HEARTBROKEN businessman crashed while chasing the mother of his child as she snook off with an internet date.

Ian McDonald received a call from his hysterical teenage daughter informing him that her mother, Mary McGregor, had gone on a date with a man she had found online, a court heard.

Mr McDonald, 39, raced hom to Becket Close in Ehterley Dene from Leeds afer hearing the man had been let into the house he still shared with ex-partner Ms McGregor and their 16-year-old daughter, magistrates were told.

He followed Ms McGregor as she went to meet John Allen at 8pm - causing her to panic and go straight to the police station.

He pursued her again at 9pm in a Vauxhall Vectra down Woodhouse Lane as she travelled in Mr Allen's Audi A3.

It was stated to the court that Mr McDonald hit the back of the Audi as he drove carelessly - causing more than £2,000 worth of damage.

Not realising he had hit the car, Mr McDonald didn't stop. He later discovered minor damage to his front bumper, but failed to notify police of the accident.

Speaking at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court, defence solicitor Clive Booth described Mr McDonald as driving in "very sad and distressing circumstances."

He explained to the court how Mr McDonald had suspected Ms McGregor to be looking for men on dating websites before they split a year ago.

But he still went "out of his way to do his utmost to maintain the relationship" - even paying for cosmetic surgery for Ms McGregor's nose.

Ms McGregor continued to seek internet love after her relationship with Mr McDonald broke down.

Their daughter now refuses to speak to her mum after finding obscene messages on her computer. A top student, her school work has suffered as a result of the stress brought on by what happened, the court heard.

Mr McDonald pleaded guilty to harassment, careless driving and failing to report an accident. He received five penalty points on his driving licence and was fined a total of £445 - which included compensation for Mr Allen.

Ms McGregor did not wish to pursue the harassment charge - which usually results in a restraining order - due to their living together. They also share a mortgage, a taxi business and a corner shop.