by Keith Hunt

A thug who injured two men and a woman when he deliberately drove his car at a group of people outside a Sheppey entertainment complex has been jailed for four years.

Sam Postacioglu was left with a fractured skull and bruising to the brain as a result of being hit by Jamie Rothery's Peugeot 306.

Alice Enright and Jason Upton suffered less serious harm in the terrifying incident in Leysdown in April last year.

A judge told 25-year-old Rothery he could have killed Mr Postacioglu and said he would suffer the consequences of his injuries for an unforeseeable period.

Rothery, of Lewisham, South East London, admitted wounding with intent and two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Refuse lorry driver Jamie Ewell, 29, and his brother Shaun, 27, of Musgrave Road, Sittingbourne, were each jailed for six months for affray.

They denied the charge but were convicted. Rothery's brother Perry, 28, also of Lewisham, denied the charge and was acquitted.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how the violence erupted at Merlin's during a family get together.

Friends and relatives had gathered there to commemorate the life of Julie Calder, the Ewells' aunt, who had died two months earlier.

Trouble flared between the two sets of brothers during a game of pool. Perry Rothery suffered a wound to his neck from a glass and all four were thrown out by bouncers.

Simon Taylor, prosecuting, said the Rotherys tried to get into the Peugeot to leave. Jamie Rothery had his pregnant girlfriend with him.

But there was more violence and others joined in. Jamie Ewell assaulted Perry Rothery and punched the car window with both fists.

The Rothery brothers eventually managed to get into the car. Some of the mob were goading them.

Mr Taylor said with his headlights off, Jamie Rothery then drove at them at a speed of about 20-25mph, before driving off.

Mr Postacioglu had an open wound to his head. He was taken to hospital, and treated for fractured skull and some bleeding to the brain.

Alice Enright's injuries included a fracture to her right hand and Mr Upton suffered bruises.

Police found the car, which had a shattered windscreen, soon afterwards. The Rotherys were asleep on a sofa at their chalet.