An HGV driver was jailed for running over a man and coming back to do it again - but the judge’s hands were tied in giving him a harsher sentence.

Gary Jeakins, 51, started a four-year sentence today for hitting Kyle Hymas in his car, fracturing his left leg after it was trapped under a wheel.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how Jeakins then drove away, turned around at a mini roundabout and came back to run over Mr Hymas's arm.

Jeakins, of Steeple Bay Holiday Park, Maldon, admitted causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) to his victim, who was forced to give up his dream of joining the army because of his serious injuries.

The incident happened in the early hours of February 15 last year after a fracas between Jeakins and Mr Hymas at the Red Lion Pub in The Street, Latchingdon, the evening before.

Jeakins went on the run after the attack, cutting contact with his family, and police arrested him in London in October, charging him with attempted murder.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) then reduced the charge to GBH.

Judge Patricia Lynch QC explained the use of the car as a weapon and the fact Jeakins ran over his victim twice implied he had intended to seriously injure Mr Hymas, which would be classed as GBH with intent - which could have carried a longer prison sentence.

She told Jeakins: "The people you have to thank more than anyone else are the CPS because they have accepted a plea for GBH.

"Because they have chosen to accept you committed this offence with no intent, my hands are tied.

"I am told that the victim has been consulted and agrees but I have to tell you that any judge would find it perplexing beyond belief that you had no criminal intention when you drove and came back to run him over a second time.

"That's neither your fault or mine."

The judge took into account the fact that Mr Hymas was run over twice and the ongoing repercussions he suffers and increased the sentence from a three year starting point to four years.