Shocked shoppers tried to step in to help when they believed a kidnap was seemingly taking place in an Asda car park. Hull Live reported that people at the store in Kingswood saw a van driving erratically and at speed.
Suddenly it stopped and a woman got out screaming for help. Then a man, later identified as Shaun Chapman got out and threw her in the back before speeding off.
A court was told that when Chapman, 41, was arrested he was charged with kidnap, assault and dangerous driving. However, Hull Crown Court was told that lesser charges of affray and careless driving had been accepted by the prosecution.
On May 6 this year at 5.30pm people called police saying the van was speeding around the car park, putting people at risk, with people having to jump out of the way. The court was told that a woman got out and ran away before Chapman got out himself and ran after her.
Witnesses said he woman was “screaming and frightened, shouting for somebody to help her”. Chapman managed to catch her before carrying her to the van throwing her through the side door before speeding off. People then saw the van on the banks of the River Hull at the end of Greens Lane in Wawne where another witness heard Chapman and the woman screaming and shouting. The witness saw Chapman pursue the woman and she called the police.
When she tried to intervene, Chapman, of Rishworth Close, Bransholme, shouted aggressively at her. Police arrived at Greens Lane and Chapman was arrested.
The court was told that the woman involved was and still is the partner of Chapman. She briefly gave evidence to confirm they remain together although they live in separate properties.
She told Judge Mark Bury she had no concerns about Chapman’s release and continuing their two-year relationship although the reasons behind the fallout that day were not revealed in court.
Judge Bury told Chapman: “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.” But Judge Bury issued a stern warning to Chapman to grow up and stay out of trouble or the consequences will be far more severe.
He told Chapman: “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.
