Drink-driver ploughs into man after street row in Ashford
A thug behind the wheel smashed into a man after a heated argument, then fled the scene – only to be caught and hauled before the courts.
Hit-and-run chaos caught on CCTV
Kent Police swooped on Terry Dunne, 31, after CCTV showed him deliberately ramming a 48-year-old victim with his white Range Rover in Vicarage Lane car park at 4am on Sunday, 1 April 2018. The confrontation followed a row involving a group of people.
Chased by cops, caught and charged
Dunne sped off but was chased by police for nearly 100 yards. Officers stopped him in Station Road, arrested him, and tests revealed he was almost twice the legal drink-drive limit. During his police interview, Dunne admitted his “driving wasn’t the best” but claimed he never meant to hit the man.
But the CCTV tells a different story: the attack was no accident. Dunne deliberately used his car as a weapon, leaving the victim injured on the pavement.
Jail time and a lengthy ban
The victim was rushed to a London hospital for treatment. Dunne later pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and drink driving. At Canterbury Crown Court on 20 July 2018, he was sentenced to six years behind bars and banned from driving for 65 months.
“Dunne used the force of a car to purposely hit his victim and cause him harm,” said Detective Constable Kirsty Gee. “He showed no remorse as he sped away, leaving the injured man on the floor, fully aware he was over the limit.
“The victim was lucky not to have sustained more serious injuries. There is no excuse for premeditated violence. Thankfully Dunne will now serve time in prison where he can no longer threaten public safety.”
