The moment a man drove his van into an "aggressive" football club chairman either out of "panic" or vengeance will be examined by a judge next month.

Jamie Ingram caused multiple pelvic injuries to Sam Callender - then the boss of Herne Bay FC - following what was described as a heated row in Whitstable’s John Wilson Business Park on May 11.

CCTV played at Canterbury Crown Court today showed Mr Callender being struck by the front offside of the van and pushed against the side of his vehicle.

His injuries required surgery and medical reports mentioned in court described a "satisfactory" recovery with ongoing physiotherapy.

The two men are believed to be known to each other.

Ingram, 48, later admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving on the basis it was "unintentional" and he was "unfamiliar" with the van after hiring it that day.

But having viewed the CCTV and been told the basis of plea was not accepted by the prosecution, Judge Simon Taylor KC said a Newton hearing - where a judge alone and not a jury hears evidence - was required ahead of sentencing.

"The evidence in the footage doesn't provide a full picture of what was going on in the defendant's mind," he told the court.

"I see that Mr Callender was aggressive and the decision the defendant made was a split-second one and wasn't persistent.

"But there is still a difference between whether it was panic and trying to get away or vengeful, which would make a material difference to sentence."

Anna Bond, defending, said Ingram had maintained "from the outset" that the incident was "an accident and not a deliberate act".

The trial of issue as it is also known will be held on September 12.

‘I need to know what was going through your mind...’

Judge Taylor told Ingram, of Joy Lane, Whitstable, he faced either immediate jail or a suspended sentence with an unpaid work requirement.

"I need to know what was going through your mind when you drove at Mr Callender. Was it deliberate, was it spontaneous, only you know," he added.

"You need to come to court on September 12 prepared for a custodial sentence. That's not to trouble you but so you can get your affairs in order.

"I don't know what decision I will make but much depends on what I hear from you."

Ingram was warned that if the ruling went against him, he would lose some credit for the guilty plea he entered at a previous hearing in July.

He was again released on bail by Judge Taylor.

Mr Callender had been appointed chairman of Herne Bay FC in April this year, only to announce 11 days after the incident that "with a heavy heart" he was standing down.

He said his "very long period of recovery ahead" meant he could not give the club "the commitment it deserves".

Judge Taylor said Mr Callender would not be required to give evidence at the Newton hearing.