Advertisement

Driver who swerved car towards group in 'revenge attack' after pub fight jailed

Thomas Broughton was jailed for the incident outside the Waterlily pub. (Suffolk Constabulary/Google Maps)
Thomas Broughton was jailed for the incident outside the Waterlily pub. (Suffolk Constabulary/Google Maps)

A motorist drove into a group of men with his car in a “revenge attack” after thinking he was being laughed at.

Thomas Broughton, 32, of Ipswich, drove his black Audi A3 on to the pavement and at the group before leaving the scene just after midnight on 8 March.

It followed an incident between Broughton, who was with two other people, and the men outside the Waterlily pub in St Helens Street, Suffolk Constabulary said.

In evidence, one of the men who was hit, Brandon Mann, said there was “some miscommunication” between the groups before the incident that left Broughton thinking he was being laughed at.

The altercation led to some pushing, shoving and punches but was broken up.

Broughton was imprisoned for 18 years. (Suffolk Constabulary)
Thomas Broughton was imprisoned for 18 years. (Suffolk Constabulary)
The incident took place outside the Waterlily pub in Ipswich. (Google Maps)
The incident took place outside the Waterlily pub in Ipswich. (Google Maps)

The victims then made their way to the town centre, while Broughton went around the corner to his parked car before driving into the group.

He then called police just over an hour after the attack to say he wanted to hand himself in and went back to the scene to be arrested by officers.

Two of his victims received serious injuries and were taken to hospital. One man, in his 40s, was considered to be in a life-threatening condition and suffered serious head and brain injuries.

Watch: Teen facing jail after ramming a police motorcycle rider off his bike in stolen car

Read more: Motorway thieves steal £5m of Apple goods from back of lorry

He left a rehabilitation centre in August after five months of treatment and can only walk short distances with help.

Another victim required several days of treatment while a third suffered minor injuries.

Police said Broughton denied deliberately driving at the men during his trial, claiming he only drove on to the pavement because he saw “a flash”.

Broughton was imprisoned for 18 years on November 17 – a minimum of 12 years in custody and the rest on licence – after being found guilty of wounding with intent, two counts of attempted wounding with intent to cause GBH and dangerous driving.

Broughton was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court. (Google Maps)
Thomas Broughton was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court. (Google Maps)

He was cleared of three counts of attempted murder at Ipswich Crown Court.

Temporary Detective Superintendent David Henderson said: “There is no doubt in my mind that Thomas Broughton mounted the pavement intentionally and with the clear intent to cause harm to the group of men walking there.

Read more: Teen jailed over death of 'loving' girl, 15, who collapsed from ecstasy 'bomb'

“This was an extremely mindless and dangerous action, motivated at most by a minor skirmish outside a pub, which apparently took place following his belief that someone in the group had directed a comment towards him.

“As a consequence of this revenge attack, one man has been left with very serious injuries – he currently has limited mobility down one side, suffers with memory problems and is not able to walk unaided.

“The sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of Broughton’s crimes and also takes into account his continued denial of the offences – I hope he will now take the time to think about the severe impact he has had on the lives of others.”

Watch: Eight exceptions to the new lockdown