‘Shocking’: Driver caught on CCTV running down group by Leadenhall Market jailed for seven years
A BMW driver caught on “shocking” CCTV footage driving at a group of brawlers in the heart of the City of London has been jailed for seven years.
Two men were hurt when they were hit by Bristan William’s car on Leadenhall Street on the evening of July 26 last year.
William had been seen to park his blue BMW on the pavement and go into Revolution bar at 10.45pm.
Just over an hour later, he got back into the vehicle after a fight broke out in the street between two groups of men.
He drove towards them, hitting an unknown man, before doing a three-point turn and driving at the group again, all of whom managed to avoid being hit.
He then turned the car around and steered directly at two men as they attempted to flee.
The first victim was thrown into the air and hurled against the wall of a building.
WARNING: Video contains distressing scenes:
He suffered a dislocated shoulder, fractured nose and three separate spinal fractures.
The second victim was thrown across the bonnet of the car and roof, before being propelled 100 yards down the road.
He sustained a ruptured ligament in the knee from the impact of the vehicle.
The car was caught on a traffic camera as William made his way home to east London.
It was later traced to Wickford in Essex and linked to the incident by debris recovered from the scene.
Detective Constable Jon Forster, of City of London Police, said: “It is through sheer luck that this wasn’t a multiple-fatality incident.
“William used his vehicle as a weapon, driving several times into people in the street before seriously injuring his victims.
“He had a number of opportunities to stop to think about what he was doing, but instead he chose to drive his car into the group.
“The CCTV images are shocking, but proved vital in helping us secure a successful prosecution.
“Thanks to these security images, alongside diligent and methodical police work, this dangerous individual will be off the streets for a long while.”
William, of Barking, east London, was arrested on August 4 2022 and went on to plead guilty to two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving.
On Thursday, he was sentenced at the Old Bailey to seven years in prison.
He was disqualified from driving for five years to run upon his release.
Emily Pennink – Press Association