Man jailed for ramming pensioner with his car at Essex Mcdonald's
A second man, who tried to intervene, was also hit with the vehicle
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to more than nine years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent after he drove a car at his victims in a Chelmsford McDonald’s car park.
Two men were struck with the Mini Cooper Glenn Hobbs was driving before he fled the scene in Drovers Way on 18 December 2023.
Hobbs, of Forefield Green in Chelmsford – who was 29 at the time of the attack – was seen arguing with a man in his 70s in the Mini Cooper in the drive-thru of McDonald’s at about 9.25pm on the night of the incident.
At one point a witness described Hobbs grabbing the victim by the throat before the victim was able to get out of the passenger seat.
As he walks away from the car and towards the neighbouring petrol station, Hobbs deliberately drove at the man, striking him from behind and knocking him to the ground.
A second man who witnessed this then tried to stop the car, but was also injured as Hobbs drove at them as well.
The man in his 70s sustained several serious injuries and was requored treatment at Addenbrook's hospital.
Officers gathered a description of Hobbs and his car and carried out a wide search of the surrounding area.
Following an extensive search over the following two hours the car was located and Hobbs was arrested.
He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and actual bodily harm, remanded in custody and on 9 December 2024 at Chelmsford Crown Court, he pleaded guilty.
He was sentenced to a total of nine years and two months in prison at the same court on 14 February 2025.
Sergeant James Pamment said:
“This could easily have been a murder investigation – Hobbs struck his victim with a car, fully aware he could kill him.
Despite the clear dangers of the assault, this case required a meticulous investigation to ensure Hobbs was left with no choice but to plead guilty when he reached court.
CCTV enquires supported by the statements of witnesses at the scene track Hobbs and one of the victims to the restaurant before the attack.
It left no doubt that it was Hobbs in the Mini, and that Hobbs had already assaulted his passenger before he left the car.
I hope the conclusion of this court case can bring some closure for the victims affected in this incident. Hobbs is now serving a lengthy prison sentence to consider his decisions that night."