Driver hit man with car after Christmas Day fight

A drunken offender who drove his car at a man following a Christmas Day street fight has been jailed.

On Christmas Day 2022 a car was driven by Luke Upton into the victim, who was part of a group that had earlier tried to diffuse an altercation outside a pub in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire Police said.

The 24-year-old of Saxondale Drive, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for three-and-a-half years at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.

Det Con Amelia Hicklin said the attack was an "appalling display" of drunken street violence.

Police said after the fight was broken up, the group moved on and were stood at the junction of York Street and West Street when a red Seat Ibiza pulled up alongside them.

Upton and 23-year-old Keegan Marriott exited the car, confronted the group and began whipping them with belts, police said.

The force added Upton also grabbed the victim by the neck and pulled him to the floor while Marriott punched him during the incident at about 01:15 BST.

Marriott and Upton returned to the vehicle, with CCTV showing Upton getting into the driver's seat. Moments later, the Ibiza returned, drove directly at the victim and collided with him after mounting the kerb.

The man suffered a broken leg and the two offenders drove off, police said.

Officers arrived at the scene and discovered the victim lying on the floor and gathered details about the car and offenders.

The vehicle was then spotted in Bulwell and followed by officers for a short period before it came to a stop and Upton and Marriott were arrested.

Marriott, of Nottingham Road, New Basford, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to affray and was sentenced to 15 months in jail, suspended for 22 months at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.

Det Con Amelia Hicklin added: "What started as an altercation outside a pub ended with Upton driving a car directly at the victim.

"The vehicle was travelling at significant speed and the impact could easily have resulted in more serious injuries."

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