Thug who yelled 'I'm the biggest man in Bolton' jailed for attacking ex and pulling up handbrake at 50mph

A judge said that it was "sheer dumb luck" that a thug did not kill or seriously injure anyone when he pulled his pregnant girlfriend's handbrake as she drove at 50mph.

Ainsley Stafford's actions caused the car to spin out of control and face oncoming traffic on the A666. He then screamed at his victim to "move the f***ing car" before police arrived, prosecution barrister Patrick Williamson told Bolton Crown Court.

After the woman had pulled up on the hard shoulder, Stafford punched her to the head, before leaving the car and walking to her driver-side window. He then grabbed her by hair and tried to pull her from car but did not manage to as she was wearing a seatbelt. He then threw her back, spat at her, and then got back in the car.

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During the journey, which took place in the early hours of Boxing Day 2022, Stafford also attacked his brother who was sat in the backseat. When the woman got near her home, in Bridgeman Street, Bolton, Stafford pulled the handbrake again - this time near a Mercedes taxi.

Stafford continued to spit at his girlfriend and punch her. When she left the car, he kicked the keys out of her hand. He only stopped his assault when she reminded him that she was pregnant with his child.

The court heard that Stafford ranted about being 'the biggest man in Bolton' and ordered the woman to ram the Mercedes taxi, which was in the road, but she refused. Eventually she managed to drive away from him.

Stafford was arrested later that morning and Mr Williamson told the court that Stafford had been drinking alcohol and taking nitrous oxide on Christmas night, prior to the outburst. He added that Stafford pulled the