A man drove his car at people outside a pub, hitting one, after his girlfriend was assaulted inside, a court has heard.

Danny Whymark, 30, had been drinking at the Cherry Tree pub in Costessey with his partner when the initial assault happened.

Cherry Tree pub, CostesseyCherry Tree pub, Costessey (Image: Newsquest)He got into his car and drove it around the car park at speed.

Norwich Crown Court heard Whymark "drove at the door" of the Dereham Road pub which was packed at the time on May 7 last year, the day after the coronation of King Charles III.

There were around 20 to 30 people in the car park area.

The court was told Whymark "drove at" one man who ended up on the bonnet of the car before "falling to the floor".

Danielle O'Donovan, prosecuting, said the man suffered "cuts and scratches".

Whymark, whose then partner was also in the vehicle, then reversed at speed around the car park before driving off.

He was arrested soon after but refused to provide a specimen of breath to police.

Whymark, from Elmham Drive, Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk, appeared in court on Wednesday after he admitted dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Danny WhymarkDanny Whymark (Image: Norfolk Police) He also admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath and failing to stop after an accident.

Jailing him for a total of 27 months Recorder Nicola Fitches said it was "pure luck no-one was killed or very seriously injured" as a result.

She said the man who was hit and injured had been "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Recorder Fitches insisted the offending was "so serious only an immediate custodial sentence" could be justified. 

Ian James, mitigating, said Whymark had reacted to an assault on his partner and "panicked" in trying to get her away from the pub.

He said he had references for Whymark, who has two young children, describing his behaviour as out of character.

Whymark was also disqualified from driving for a total of 61 months.