A former professional footballer told his girlfriend he would bury her alive before she leaped from a car travelling at 100km/h, a court has heard.
Russell Webber, who was signed to the Melbourne Storm as a 16-year-old, hurled a tirade of abuse at his then partner Jacquelyn Donovan during a terrifying hour-long ordeal in Rockhampton, Queensland.
‘Don’t think I haven’t done it before… This is it, I’m taking you to your grave. You’d better say your f***ing prayers,’ Webber, 28, told her, according to The Morning Bulletin.
Russell Webber, who was signed to the Melbourne Storm as a 16-year-old, hurled a tirade of abuse at his then partner Jacquelyn Donovan (pictured) during a terrifying hour-long ordeal in Rockhampton, Queensland
‘Don’t think I haven’t done it before… This is it, I’m taking you to your grave. You’d better say your f***ing prayers,’ Webber (pictured) reportedly told her
The former rugby league player pulled the vehicle over before Ms Donovan attempted to flee during the horrific 2016 incident.
‘She opened the door, put her feet on the ground when the defendant grabbed her by the hair and slammed his foot down on the accelerator,’ prosecutors told the court.
Ms Donovan was dragged along the road in agonising pain, with the skin on her feet being ripped to shreds.
She pulled herself back into the moving car before Webber began his threats to bury her alive, the court reportedly heard.
Ms Donovan (left) pulled herself back into the moving car before Webber (right) began his threats to bury her alive
At 100km/h, Ms Donovan then jumped from the vehicle and managed to get to a nearby home, the court heard.
Webber pleaded guilty at Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Monday to charges including assault occasioning bodily harm and dangerous driving.
He was reportedly sentenced to two years behind bars but could be released by June next year.
Webber played five games for the Melbourne Storm under 20s side before scoring 13 tries in 36 matches for the Central Queensland Capras.
At 100km/h, Ms Donovan then jumped from the vehicle and managed to get inside a nearby home