A MAN who drove his car at a group of people at Festival Leisure Park, in Basildon, has been jailed for five years after fleeing the scene and failing to hide from a police dog.

Shaquille Mathurin had been on a night out at Unit 7 in the early hours of Sunday 3 October. After leaving the venue, he was part of a group which became involved in an argument with another group. The argument then becomes physical, and Mathurin is seen to run away from the scene.

Shortly after, CCTV footage shows a blue Peugeot 208 coming into view and being driven at speed. The car is then driven at a group of people, one of whom is flipped upside down.

The car is then driven around the car park before returning to face the group, which has now dispersed. The car is then aimed directly at two men, one of whom is struck at speed.

The victim, a man aged in his 20s, sustained a serious leg injury.

The 25-year-old, of Magnolia Close, in east London, then gets out of the car and runs away from the scene.

Officers were on the scene within minutes and Mathurin was found by police dog McCoy while hiding in some bushes on the outskirts of the leisure park.

He was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences and was subsequently charged with GBH with intent, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and possession of cannabis

He admitted GBH with intent, dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and driving without insurance and was sentenced today (Monday, 28 March) at Basildon Crown Court.

In total, he was sentenced to five years in jail.

The police investigation was led by Detective Sergeant Gavin Tuck, of Basildon CID.

He said: "Mathurin clearly targeted his victim and was intent on using this car as a weapon after a disagreement broke out between his group and another group. Thankfully, the victim is recovering from his injuries, but this incident could have been so much worse for the victim – and indeed for Mathurin.

"After inflicting serious injuries on his victim, he thought he could hide – but he didn't get very far having been found hiding in a bush.

"Today, he must realise the severity of his actions and he will spend a substantial amount of time behind bars.

"In Essex, we do not tolerate serious violence and I hope this sentence serves as a deterrent for anyone intent on coming into the county to commit crime."