Man who deliberately drove into two people jailed

Anthony Deeprose was attending a charity event in Maidstone when the attack happened in 2022

A man who deliberately drove his car into two people has been jailed.

Anthony Deeprose was attending a charity fancy dress event at a pub in Maidstone when the attack happened in November 2022.

One man was left with life-changing head injuries, while another sustained leg injuries.

At Maidstone Crown Court, the 30-year-old was sentenced to 27 years in prison for two counts of attempted murder.

After an interaction with a group, Deeprose punched a man in the head before getting into a Vauxhall Corsa.

As the victim’s friends exited the pub to challenge him, Deeprose drove into a man in his 20s, Kent Police said.

As the injured man received help, Deeprose drove at the group again with his headlights off. This time, the wheel of the car went over the first victim’s head and also collided with a second man.

'Appalling incident'

Deeprose was arrested at a service station in Dargate and charged with two counts of attempted murder, dangerous driving, disqualified driving and assault by beating.

He pleaded guilty to the latter charges, and was convicted of two counts of attempted murder following a trial.

He was sentenced to 27 years' imprisonment, with an additional three years on licence when he is released.

Deeprose will have to serve two thirds of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Det Con Mark Butler said: “It is only by chance that we were not dealing with fatalities.

“Nonetheless, one of the victims suffered life-changing injuries and many of those involved would have been traumatised by this appalling incident.”