Driver jailed for mowing down stranger at petrol station and hitting him with crowbar

A man who mowed down a stranger before attacking him with a crowbar at a petrol station has been jailed.

Aqeel Ahmed, 24, targeted his victim after a confrontation at the garage's car park in Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester.

The court heard that following the disagreement, Ahmed got into his VW Touran car and sped towards the man causing him to fly across his bonnet onto a parked vehicle. The incident was captured on CCTV.

He was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to four years in jail on Thursday after admitting to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving and drink-driving, Greater Manchester Police said.

After ploughing into his victim, Ahmed then leapt out and stamped on the man's head three times while he lay unconscious on the floor.

The driver of a parked vehicle intervened and restrained Ahmed but the defendant broke free and struck his victim several times with a crowbar.

Police said the victim may not have survived the “unrelenting” onslaught if it was not for the brave actions of the other motorist and also members of the public who swiftly raised the alarm.

Ahmed, of Queensgate, Bolton, was arrested at the scene on February 25 and his victim was treated in hospital for a laceration to the scalp.

Detective Constable Terry Macmillan said: “This was an unrelenting attack on a man who Ahmed didn’t even know, that could have caused life-threatening injuries.

“If it wasn’t for the bravery of the man who restrained Ahmed and other members of the public who quickly called police, his victim may not have survived.

“I would like to thank them for their quick-thinking actions that day.

“Ahmed’s attack was senseless and brutal but thankfully CCTV footage of the events leading up to and after the assault has significantly helped to put this violent man behind bars.”