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LOVESTRUCK: Jealous Pinner student who ran girlfriend over in Amersham jailed for 10 years

 Published on: 11th August 2021   |   By: Court Reporter   |   Category: Uncategorized

A jealous student who ran over his girlfriend in Amersham and left her with life-changing injuries has been jailed for more than 10 years.

Lakshmam Samarakoon (pictured), 20, of Pinner Hill Road, deliberately ran over his partner during a fit of jealous rage, breaking multiple bones in her left leg and injuring her so severely that doctors considered amputation.

Samarakoon was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison at Aylesbury Crown Court on July 30 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm.

His victim, Dina Sapra, now 19, had been an avid swimmer, netball, and tennis player, and got four A*s in her A-levels, but had to put her academic life on hold and will never be able to compete in her beloved sports again.

The court heard how in the run-up to the horrific incident, which took place in Longwood Lane on July 12, 2020, Samarakoon had acted in a jealous and controlling way towards Ms Sapra.

Claire Robinson, prosecuting, said how in 2018, when Ms Sapra went on holiday with her family to Dubai, Samarakoon told her that he would kill himself when he saw pictures of her socialising with other people.

This behaviour culminated and came to a head just after midnight on July 12, when both attended a mutual friend’s 18th birthday party in Amersham.

Looking at his girlfriend’s phone, when he saw messages from a male friend, Samarakoon accused her of cheating on him and took the device, going back to the car and getting into the drivers’ seat. Ms Sapra followed, demanding that he return her mobile.

Out in the cul-de-sac, CCTV footage seen in the court showed that Samarakoon reversed the car, forcing Ms Sapra to jump out of the way.

She could then be seen running away up onto the pavement. After reversing, Samarakoon turned the car in her direction, drove up onto the pavement and hit her, leaving his victim lying on the ground.

Expert analysis revealed that the car was going at a speed below 17mph.

Ambulance and police arrived on the scene, taking Ms Sapra to John Radcliffe hospital for emergency treatment and arresting Samarakoon.

Judge Francis Sheridan did not hold back when sentencing Samarakoon, calling his conduct “wicked.”

He said: “This was an offence driven by jealousy on a loving girl.

“You believed you deserved to have the ultimate say as to what she did with her own life, you had no right.”

Judge Sheridan sentenced Samarakoon to 11 years and eight months in prison for the charge of GBH with intent.

He also received an eight-year driving ban, which will come into effect when he gets out of prison on license.

He has also been issued with an indefinite restraining order against his victim.

 

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