A LAUNDRY boss who mowed down his cheating wife with the company's van was jailed for three years yesterday.

Andrew Lincoln, 44, snapped after Carol, 48, his wife of 14 years, set up home with businessman Andrew Danylew, 42, in an office at the company's industrial unit in North Yorkshire.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Lincoln drove the van at her as she was stacking shelves inside the loading bay, breaking her legs.

As she lay trapped under the vehicle, he kicked her in the kidneys and then got back behind the wheel, at which point Mr Danylew wrestled the keys from him.

Rod Hunt, prosecuting, told the court that with Lincoln in jail, awaiting a court date, and his wife in hospital, the business went into liquidation.

Robin Turton, defending, said that Lincoln's family and friends were astonished and surprised by his actions.

Teesside Crown Court was told that testimonials described him as mild-mannered, kind and considerate.

Mr Turton said Lincoln was under extraordinary pressure from seeing his wife with her lover every day at the factory, on the Colburn Lane Industrial Estate, Colburn, near Catterick.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Peter Fox QC told Lincoln:"I accept this was for you entirely out of character. I think it is right that you were unable to give the space which was needed between yourself and your unfaithful wife and her lover."

Lincoln, of Colburn Lane, Colburn, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent on November 3, last year. The Crown accepted his not guilty plea to attempted murder.