A van driver from East Malling who ran over and killed a 34-year-old man during a brawl has been jailed for 12 years for manslaughter.

In the second week of his trial at the Old Bailey, Alfie Tullet, 32, of Catlyn Close, changed his plea and admitted killing Frankie Bulbrook on 24 July, 2020, at Belmont Green in Chislehurst.

Tullet also pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder and was separately sentenced to two years and nine months jail to run concurrently.

Two other men involved in the incident, Alfie Boyles, 22, and Harry Boyles, 25, both of Imperial Way, Chislehurst, were both found guilty of violent disorder and also sentenced to two years and nine months in jail.

DS Sarah Fisher, who led the police investigation, said: "Mr Bulbrook’s death was the senseless result of a trivial comment directed at Alfie Tullet’s friend.

"Our investigation found that, fuelled by alcohol, Tullet came to the apparent aid of his slighted friend.

"This led to a fight and ultimately it was Mr Bulbrook, who had played no role in the initial confrontation, who paid with his life."

She said: "I would like to thank everyone who shared information with us as part of our investigation.

"It was doorbell recordings and other witness accounts that helped us to establish what led to Frankie’s death.

"This case shows just how vital information from the public can be."

Detectives used witness statements, mobile phone data and CCTV footage to piece together the events of the fatal night.

Phone records showed that Tullet had been with friends in the Gordon Arms in Green Lane, Chislehurst. The court heard how the group became louder as the evening progressed.

At around 7.30pm, Tullet left the pub and drove his friend home. By the time he arrived back again, a fight was taking place.

Witnesses said they saw Tullet deliberately drive his van towards Mr Bulbrook. Shortly after, Alfie and Harry Boyles, who had been involved in the fight, were seen to drive away from the scene.

The court heard how witnesses could smell burning rubber as the van sped away.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, Mr Bulbrook died at the scene.

Tullet was first identified by members of the public who flagged officers down as they made their way to the scene.

Having seen the police arriving, Tullet drove the van to nearby Adelaide Road where he changed his clothes and smashed the vehicle's window.

Members of the public became suspicious and took photos of him.

He was arrested four days later at Priory Hill Caravan Site in Sheerness.

When interviewed he initially denied driving the van, but he later admitted it in court.

A forensic collision investigator who examined the van found the manner of the driving could not have been the result of any mechanical defect.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Bulbrook's death to have been caused by chest and abdominal injuries.

There were grease stains on his body and a tire mark on his lower left side.

Those injuries were found to be consistent with having been run over by a vehicle.

It is thought that up to 10 men were involved in the brawl outside the pub.

Two men, aged 30 and 26, were subsequently treated for stab injuries.