Aiden Howard behind bars for driving into ex-girlfriend Melissa Haines

Aiden Howard was handed a six-month stretch after he drove his father’s white Fiat Panda towards Melissa Haines as she arrived home from work.

The 26-year-old was hit and thrown on to the bonnet of her car before collapsing unconscious and bleeding from the head.

She was left with injuries to her shins, shoulder and a deep cut to her eyebrow which required stitching.

Her car was also left with £600 of damage.

Howard, 23, was uninsured and had taken his dad’s car without permission.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Miss Haines has been left with emotional trauma that meant she had to take time off work.

Howard had originally driven over to Lower Brownhill Road to speak to Miss Haines, who had recently ended their relationship. But her mum, Lisa, answered the door and told him that her daughter was at work.

Howard then became abusive and was asked to leave.

Moments later Lisa (pictured below) heard a loud bang and rushed outside with her son Karl.

She then saw her daughter lying on the ground and thought that she was dead.

Howard then assaulted Lisa, and punched Karl, who was leaning over her after rushing to his sister’s aid.

Bystander Sara Harvey was also hit.

Howard, who has no fixed address, later pleaded guilty in court to the aggravated taking and driving away of his father’s Fiat Panda and three common assault charges.

He denied attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent on his partner and assaulting two other people, which was accepted by the prosecution.

In mitigation, Berenice Mulvanny said that her client, who has a borderline personality disorder, had skidded on gravel and had not meant to run into his former partner.

But judge Peter Crabtree ruled that Howard had been driving aggressively.

Howard was given a six- month sentence and a 12- month driving ban. A restraining order was also imposed, forbidding contact with Miss Haines.