An 18-year-old man who drove a stolen car at several youths, injuring two of them seriously, has been locked up for five years under an extended sentence.

Because of time spent on remand, a judge told Adam Green the parole board could consider his release when he had served just 10 more months.

But he warned: "It won't be an automatic matter. Only when it is judged you are safe, will you be released. You could serve the full custodial term of five years."

Judge Jeremy Carey said one of the victims, Luke Greenstreet, would continue to suffer due to the extent of his injuries. He suffered fractures to his left shinbone, his right knee, his right wrist and to an eye socket. His nose was detached from his lip and needed specialist hospital treatment in East Grinstead.

Green, formerly of Gillingham, was convicted last month of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Greenstreet and Alexander Dudhill and assaulting James Hagen and Jamie Rowe, causing actual bodily harm.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that the offences involved two separate incidents on July 22 last year. Green took a Volkswagen Polo and drove into Rainham Precinct car park and had a confrontation with Mr Hagen over a girl.

Judge Carey said Green deliberately drove at Mr Rowe in Maidstone Road and added: "It is something approaching a miracle that he was not grievously injured. He was thrown into the air and suffered minor injuries, but that was a matter of chance."

A few minutes later, Green drove along the A2 and down Birling Avenue and when seeing a melee of youngsters fighting, drove at them. Mr Greenstreet was left lying "seemingly dead on the road", Mr Dudhill was seriously hurt and Mr Hagen was also injured.

Green was also convicted of aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. He admitted driving while disqualified. Green, now of Croydon, was cleared of attempting to murder Mr Greenstreet, Mr Dudhill and Mr Hagen.