Shoppers were left horrified after witnessing what they thought was an apparent kidnapping outside a busy supermarket, a court has heard. HullLive reports customers saw a white van driving at speed in the car park of an Asda supermarket in the Kingswood area before a woman stumbled out, and then running and screaming for help.
However, Shaun Chapman then got out and picked her up and threw her back into the van before speeding off. The 41-year-old was arrested later that day, May 6 this year, and he appeared at Hull Crown Court earlier this week charged with affray and careless driving.
At around 5.30pm on May 6, witnesses said they saw a white van driving around the supermarket car park at excessive speed, the court heard. People were having to take 'evasive action' as he sped around the car park.
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Chapman ran after the woman after she had got out of the van as she was "screaming and frightened, shouting for somebody to help her," the court heard. He then caught up with her, picked her up and bundled her back in the van through a side door.
Witnesses then next saw them on the banks of the River Hull where they were shouting and screaming. The court heard Chapman was seen to be chasing the woman, who managed to call the police.
Judge Mark Berry told the court: "You were driving round Asda car park in such a manner it is plain those people who witnessed what happened were more frightened by it than you or your partner as they had no idea what was going on. Due to the way you were driving and acting, no one wanted to get involved and see what the problem was.
"But now it appears that whatever those problems were are now in the past. You and your partner are planning a future together."
Judge Berry added: "You have decent work as a plasterer. You have been remanded in custody for 64 days. If that doesn’t prove a deterrent to ensure you behave yourself in the future I don’t know what will.
"You are not a child anymore and you have a business to run. It is down to you and your partner to keep on an even keel."
Chapman received a four-month prison sentence for affray and no separate penalty for the careless driving but he will receive five points on his licence. He was released from custody on Tuesday having already served his time on remand.
