A team of officers who investigated the case of love cheat soldier Nicholas Fabian – who tried to kill his pregnant wife by blowing up her car – have been honoured for their work.

The father was jailed for life after being found guilty of attempted murder and causing an explosion likely to endanger life at the couple’s home in Highview, Vigo village, near Gravesend.

He admitted possessing 95 rounds of 5.56mm rifle bullets without a firearms certificate.

The police team which helped bring him to justice have been given awards at a ceremony at North Kent Police Station in Northfleet.

A judge’s commendation was awarded to Detective Chief Inspector Michael Atkinson and the major crime investigation team for their contribution to the investigation and prosecution of Fabian for the attempted murder of his wife Victoria.

On March 5, 2010, heavily-pregnant Victoria and her eight-year-old son got into a Mazda car she had borrowed from her mother with the intention of returning it.

As she started to manoeuvre, the car exploded causing her serious and lasting leg injuries.

Fabian had plotted to kill his wife by booby-trapping the car using a stolen hand grenade.

He was found guilty of attempted murder and causing an explosion with intent to endanger life. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with instructions to serve a minimum of 16 years.

Also awarded were Detective Inspector Lee Whitehead, Detective Sergeant Richard Le Jeune, Detective Constable Paul Mundey, Detective Constable Dave Frampton and police staff employees Lucy Hurst, Mark Tyman, Gemma Bullock, Stephen Rose, Donna Mencia-Kenny, Mark Horton, Bryan Long, Nicola Wade, Maria Venus and Mark Sayer.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: “The police officers, police staff and member of the public who had their work recognised at the ceremony have earned the right to be proud of their accomplishments and we, in turn, are very proud of them.”