Driver used car as weapon to seriously injure pedestrian in Kent
He mounted a pavement and forced the victim onto the vehicle’s bonnet
A motorist, who seriously injured a pedestrian after deliberately driving a car at him in Kings Hill, has been jailed.
Thomas Arnold mounted a pavement and forced the victim onto the vehicle’s bonnet, before colliding with a lamppost.
Arnold and the victim knew each other and during the evening of 25 June 2023 had been involved in a verbal row, linked to issues which included previous disagreements over parking.
At around 7.40pm, the argument escalated and led to Arnold driving his Ford Fiesta onto a grass verge in Park Drive, where it struck with the victim and forced him onto the bonnet.
He then steered it towards a lamppost, trapping the man between the vehicle and the streetlight.
Arnold drove from the scene, leaving the victim with multiple injuries including two broken legs.
Accelerator claims
An investigation quickly located the Fiesta abandoned nearby and enquiries established the driver had fled to the Isle of Sheppey.
On 27 June, Arnold handed himself in at Sheerness Police Station and claimed during an interview he had been scared of the victim and hadn’t meant to harm him.
He insisted his foot had slipped on the accelerator as he tried to drive around him.
Arnold, 25, of Lavender Road, East Malling was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He later pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced on Tuesday 1 October 2024.
Profound impact
Detective Constable Hannah Barker said: "Arnold showed no hesitation in using his car as a weapon and his actions left his victim suffering a number of appalling injuries.
"It is only by chance that the victim survived this mindless assault, although there is little doubt this ordeal will have a profound and long-lasting effect. As well as the physical scars, the impact of this crime will likely have a significant psychological impact on the victim for the rest of their life.
"I only hope today’s sentence will provide some closure and reassurance that at least justice has now been served."