Cowardly Birmingham businessman spared jail for punching teen drove at police officer five months later

A thug businessman spared jail for a cowardly sucker punch on a teenager went on to drive at a police officer five months later. Matthew Jones was given a second chance at Birmingham Crown Court in January when he was handed a suspended sentence for inflicting grievous bodily harm at the Scott Arms in Great Barr.

But on June 5 this year the 36-year-old nearly ran down a police officer who had pulled him over in Middleway View, Edgbaston for the manner of his driving. The constable managed to jump out of the way onto the bonnet of a taxi parked nearby.

Jones, of Perry Wood Road, admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, assaulting an emergency worker and breaching a suspended sentence. At Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, November 11 he was sentenced to one year and eight months and banned from driving for one year and seven months.

READ MORE: Birmingham B&M shop shut down over mice droppings in chocolate section as court brands store a disgrace

Prosecutor Giles Pengelly said the officer initially noticed a Volkswagen van being driven faster than other vehicles and then making a left turn without indicating, which he concluded was a deliberate attempt to evade him.

Checks revealed the van was supposed to be off the road. The driver, Jones, was pulled over and appeared to be cooperative but he then gave a false name, which the officer inevitably could not find on the system.

At that point the defendant tried to drive away despite repeated requests to stop. Mr Pengelly said: "When the police officer was about 10 to 15 feet away he appeared to drive towards him at speed which caused him to believe he was at risk of harm. He jumped out of the way on to a bonnet of a stationary parked taxi."

He told the court Jones collided with a number of other vehicles before exiting the cul-de-sac on to nearby Stour Street, only to be arrested by another officer called to the incident. Simon Burch, defending, stated Jones was an 'intelligent and hard-working' family man but he had mental health issues, which resulted in him acting impulsively.

He argued Jones had not intended to drive into the officer and cause him serious harm, adding he was remorseful for his actions. Judge Anthony Potter said: "It was an exceptional sentence given to you by this court in January.

"You should have used that chance given to you so you could get your life back on track and could reflect on the decisions you were taking." He added: "The fact you got into trouble so soon after that is unattractive."

He accepted Jones was not deliberately trying to run the officer down but said: "What you were plainly seeking to do was take out your frustration on the officer, who must have been quite terrified at a Volkswagen van driven by you at speed towards him. He had to take evasive action."

Jones' earlier appearance in court this year came after he had attacked a 19-year-old celebrating his birthday at the Scott Arms in Great Barr in January 2022. After a misunderstanding Jones initially punched him in the face, which resulted in him being ordered to leave the pub.

But he loitered around the exit and struck again when the victim and his friends went to leave 20 minutes later. Jones delivered a 'cowardly sucker punch' to the side of his head.

The teenager suffered a broken jaw and damage to his teeth which was feared could be permanent at the time. Recorder Patrick Upward told Jones he had a problem with drink.

He ruled to suspend his sentence and instead order him to pay £10,000 compensation to the victim. Recorder Upward said: "You run a successful company. If anything is going to help the complainant in this case it is making sure his bills are paid because he lost his job and missed out on going for an apprenticeship."