A 21-year-old man faces a life sentence after being convicted of murdering a Kent taxi driver by running him over with his own cab.

Gian Chand Bajar was killed in Gravesend on May 23 last year. Luke Aujila, of no fixed address, admitted the manslaughter of the 71-year-old and perverting the course of justice, but had denied murder.

There was no reaction from Aujila as the jury of seven men and five women returned a 10-2 majority verdict at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday after over 13 hours of deliberation.

The court heard how Aujila drove over Mr Bajar with his own cab after attacking him in St Benedict's Avenue. He then drove the short distance to his mother's home in Dorchester Road and set fire to the taxi.

Mr Bajar, who was respected in the Sikh community, died later in hospital.

In a statement, the Bajar family expressed their "heart-felt thanks" to the police. It said: "We appreciate the skill, diligence and professionalism they have displayed both during and after our father's murder investigation.

"We would also like to thank the local community including the taxi drivers and many, many ordinary members of the local community for their support, kind words and best wishes throughout this difficult period."

Aujila is expected to be sentenced on Thursday when his QC Tracy Ayling will be available to make submissions on his behalf.

His mother Annette, 42, and brother Thomas, of Gordon Road, Northfleet, will be sentenced on Friday for perverting the course of justice.