A TERRIFYING road rage incident, involving a lengthy pursuit and culminating in a machete attack, has landed a Wirral couple behind bars. 

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the incident began after Chelsea Mighall lost her temper following a confrontation having pulled into a stream of traffic. 

While pursuing the other car- in which there was a nine-year-old child -  in a “bullying” manner she made 16 calls to her partner Rory Pearson who eventually turned up armed with the lethal weapon.

The other driver, Peter Hamlet, tried to flee across a car park but was cornered by Pearson who caused a long gaping wound to his left arm with the machete.

Pearson, of Arley Close, Beechwood, Birkenhead, 33, was jailed for five years and as the judge ruled that he is a dangerous offender he imposed an extended two year licence.

Mighall, a 35-year-old mum of two, of Worcester Road, Bidston, Wirral, sat with her face in her hands as she was jailed for two years and banned from driving for 26 months.

Judge Gary Woodhall said that the incident, which he described as  “utterly terrifying” began about 6pm on June 15 this year when Mighall forced her Nissan Qashqai ahead of the Vauxhall Meriva, driven by Tammy Winstanley with her daughter and her partner Mr Hamlet, on Hoylake Road towards Bidston roundabout.

Wirral Globe: Police at the scene in Bidston following the road rage attack Police at the scene in Bidston following the road rage attack (Image: Craig Manning, Newsquest)

Ms Winstanley sounded her horn and was forced to stop to avoid a collision and Mighall stopped her car at an angle and got out and aggressively remonstrated with the couple.

Ms Winstanley, who had got out, struck or tried to strike her and Mr Hamlet separated the two women and they both got back in their cars. Mighall then managed to drive in front and kept blocking her path and prevented her from exiting the roundabout.

She eventually managed to do so but Mighall then pursued her car towards Moreton for 1.7 miles defeating their attempts to shake her off.

“It was described as sustained bullying driving, undoubtedly intimidating and frightening,” said the judge.

During this pursuit she made 16 calls to Pearson and Judge Woodhall said he was satisfied she was “summonsing him” and ensuring the other car did not escape until he turned up.

He said he was also satisfied that she anticipated violence would be used but accepted she did not know he had a machete with him.

The victims drove onto a car park behind the Church and Horses pub in Moreton, followed by Pearson, who blocked their vehicle in and when Mr Hamlet got out of his car and ran, he chased and cornered him and attacked him with the weapon.

The victim was left pouring with blood and when police arrived they applied a tourniquet to stem the flow. It also appeared his fingers were broken.

Immediately after the attack Mighall arrived and used her car in a pincer movement to cut off the victims' escape. Judge Woodhall said it was clear the couple were acting together in a scheme to trap the victims with the expectation violence would be used.

“It took co-ordination, planning and understanding of what each was doing and intended,” he said.

He added that while there was no medical evidence it was obvious there would be significant psychological impact on the couple and their child who witnessed the incident.

He told Mighall, “Your actions were the major cause of this, your partner would not have been there without your arrangement. You were instrumental in the organisation of this offence.”

Pearson had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, threatening with an offensive weapon and Mighall admitted wounding and dangerous driving. They both have previous convictions.

Mighall was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm but Pearson fled to Tenerife after the attack and returned to the UK on Monday, July 10 where he was arrested at Liverpool airport.  He was charged the following day.

Judge Woodhall said that Pearson had told probation that he “saw red having been told his partner had been assaulted and did not know what he was going into.”

He said that he has ten previous convictions including violence to an ex-partner and “clearly has issues managing strong emotions.” He said he was satisfied he poses a significant risk of causing serious harm “given the uncertain nature of your volatility.”

The judge told Mighall, who has two previous convictions involving driving offences,  that she has shown limited victim empathy. She has children aged two and 15 and has spent her working life as a carer.

“You have been described as acting impulsively and struggling to manage your temper,” he said.

He added that her offending involved “planning, premeditation and aspects of revenge. “

Defence barrister David Birrell,  said that Pearson, who is a carer for his elderly grandmother, had not been aware of the child in the back of the victim's car. 

He had pleaded guilty and while on remand he has been making progress and signed up for an anger management course. 

Paul Wood, defending Mighall, told the court she had not been aware of the machete or the child in the back of the victim's car.

He described the incident as “very much spur of the moment.” She had made the 16 telephone calls but only turned up after the violence.

She is the primary carer for her two sons who would be badly impacted by her receiving an immediate custodial sentence, said Mr Wood.

Speaking after the sentencing Detective Chief Inspector Matt Caton said: “This was a horrifying attack on man who suffered significant wounds to his arm and hand after the incident.

“Pearson clearly thought he could hide from authorities after this mindless attack in a different country but thanks to the actions of our officers he was arrested as soon as he re-entered the UK. 

“Due to the evidence compiled and CCTV footage of the incident both Pearson and MIghall pleaded guilty to all offences.

“We hope both of these sentencings reassures Pearson and Mighall’s victim that those who carry dangerous weapons on our streets to cause fear and violence will be brought to justice.

“Our officers continue to rely on communities for information of anyone storing, carrying or using dangerous weapons on our streets and would encourage anyone with any information or concerns to report it to us.”

Contact police on 101, direct message @MerPolCC on Twitter or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

She had been remanded in custody awaiting sentence which had been “horrific” being separated from her children, he added.