A DAD blackmailed a former friend after lending him money for Christmas then pinned a woman against the wall with his car.

Simon Jevons, formerly of Algernon Street, Fairfield, issued threats and blackmailed a former friend after lending him money for his children’s Christmas presents.

After lending the man money in December, in January Jevons started to make ‘requests’ and ‘demands’ for the repayment which progressed into blackmailing.

Jevons made calls and threats to send someone round to collect the money and these threats ended in physical altercation with Jevons pinning his friend’s wife against a wall with his vehicle.

The 34-year-old appeared before Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, August 11 after pleading guilty to affray, dangerous driving, drink driving, and driving without a licence.

He was jailed for 18 months in what the judge described as the only ‘appropriate’ punishment’.

Prosecuting, Jamie Baxter explained how on February 12, 2020, Jevons and his brother turned up at the complainant’s family home.

The court heard how Jevons’ brother and the man got into a physical altercation and less than a minute later, Jevons, who was driving a blue Mini Cooper without a driving licence or insurance, pinned the man’s wife against a wall.

The woman was banging on the bonnet which caused Jevons to reverse.

Mr Baxter stated how Jevons then got a tyre wrench out of the boot of the car and walked towards the man with it.

All three men ended up in shrubbery, but the man and woman were able to quickly lock themselves inside.

The couple suffered injuries including cuts and bruises as well as the woman’s underlying health issue being exacerbated as a result.

Mr Baxter told the court of Jevons’ previous 20 offences and 10 convictions which include previous possessions of a weapon, assault, and vehicle related offences.

He then explained the second indictment which was dangerous driving on May 28, 2021, which led to a short-lived police chase.

A police officer spotted a grey BMW ‘hitting speed’ through the streets of Warrington so he followed the vehicle and got out to speak to the driver, which was Jevons.

As the officer approached the car it drove off which led to the officer ordering a search.

Jevons tried to escape, reaching speeds of 30pm+ through residential streets and ‘bouncing’ over speed bumps.

He then collided with a police vehicle causing significant damage to both vehicles and causing air bags to be deployed.

Jevons was then arrested and taken to custody where he apologised and admitted he had ‘had a few drinks’.

Defending, Sarah Griffin said that between the two offences, Jevons managed to ‘stay out of trouble’ for over a year.

She said: “By going to jail and losing his liberty he would lose work – he is self-employed.”

Ms Baxter explained that Jevons private rents with his partner and her two children that if he is jailed ‘there is no guarantee she can maintain the payments for her and the children’.

She added: “It is of course not a get out of jail free card.”

Judge Patrick Thompson concluded: “Serious threats were made leading to serious harm and distress being caused.

“You are not being assisted by your previous convictions.”

Judge Thompson also stated that some aggravating factors were that the dangerous driving offence was committed while on bail, the fact that this was also Jevons’ third time driving without insurance and a licence and because he was under the influence of alcohol.

Jevons received 18 months in prison for both offences, is disqualified from driving for three years and nine months and has been issued a restraining order from the complainant for three years.