Man who drove into pedestrian after row jailed

The crash happened in June 2023

A man who seriously injured a pedestrian after deliberately driving a car at him has been jailed for five years.

Thomas Arnold, of Lavender Road, East Malling, mounted a pavement in Park Lane, Kings Hill, and forced the victim onto the vehicle’s bonnet, before colliding with a lamppost, Kent Police said.

The pair, who knew each other, had been involved in long-running row over issues which included parking, they added.

Det Con Hannah Barker said: "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."

Police said Arnold, now 25, fled to the Isle of Sheppey, leaving the victim with multiple injuries, including two broken legs.

An investigation quickly located an abandoned Ford Fiesta and two days after the attack - which happened in June 2023 - Arnold handed himself in to police.

He claimed he had been scared of the victim and did not mean to harm him.

Arnold also insisted his foot had slipped on the accelerator as he tried to drive around the victim.

He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and pleaded guilty before being sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday.

Det Con Barker said Arnold "showed no hesitation in using his car as a weapon".