A man described as "one of the most dangerous offenders" seen by police has been jailed for nine years after he seriously assaulted his "terrified" former partner on holiday in Spain.

Jason McInerney, 36, from Chessington, and his ex-partner from Hertfordshire were in Spain in July 2023 when he assaulted her over the course of several days. 

The frightened woman attempted to alert staff in a pharmacy to McInhereny's disturbing behaviour before he stabbed her in the leg while driving.

Fearing for her life, she was forced to throw herself from the car at 70mph and was dragged down the road.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Jason McInerney was jailed for 9 years at St Albans Crown Court

Having alerted a member of the public, police were called, however McInhereny still had her passport and other belongings.

She eventually returned to the UK later that month and was treated for friction burns, a laceration to the leg and fractures to the spine.

McInerney was charged by British police after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) worked with Spanish authorities to build a case against him.

The prosecution relied on CCTV, including from the pharmacy and the beach club where the victim took refuge, medical evidence and the victim’s accounts to both the Spanish court and the police in the UK.

McInerney pleaded guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and was sentenced to nine years in jail at St Albans Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Samantha Alcock, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Support Unit, said: “I’ve been in policing for over 20 years, and Jason McInerney is one of the most dangerous offenders I’ve encountered.

"I hope that this lengthy sentence will show that the law will always catch up with you, no matter what method you use to try and evade the authorities."

Charles White from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “This was a prolonged and violent assault which left the victim alone abroad, utterly terrified and with no passport to get home.

He continued:  “In cases of domestic violence, UK authorities can prosecute even if the offence took place outside of the UK.  Securing the evidence file required swift liaison with the Spanish authorities, which was facilitated by CPS International.

“With this crucial evidence we were able to build a strong case to show the violence which was inflicted on the victim by McInerney."