A thug ran down a love rival in his car after threatening to kill him or put him in a wheelchair.

Lee Turner was left with a broken leg and cuts and bruises in the terrifying attack in Dartford.

Judge Jeremy Carey told Lawrence Kulczycki as he jailed him for six years: “You effectively vented your anger on Mr Turner in the most crude and dangerous way and in circumstances where it is fortunate and more than surprising he did not sustain the most grievous injuries – indeed, that he was killed.”

The 32-year-old was charged with attempted murder but his guilty plea to causing grievous bodily harm with intent was accepted by the prosecution.

He also admitted dangerous driving and will be banned for 14 months when released and have to take an extended test before being allowed back on the road.

Prosecutor Eloise Marshall said Kulczycki, of St Edmunds Road, Dartford, was the ex-boyfriend of Tonia Cummins, who was in a relationship with Mr Turner.

There had been difficulties between them and Miss Cummins took out an injunction against Kulczycki.

Mr Turner was leaving a newsagents in Henderson Drive on January 1 this year as Kulczycki was entering it, and words were exchanged.

"You will be in a wheelchair by the end of the week. I have made what calls I need to" Lawrence Kulczycki

The victim told him to “stop all this trouble”. But Kulczycki threatened: “You will be in a wheelchair by the end of the week. I have made what calls I need to.”

Mr Turner laughed it off. But Kulczycki got into his Volkswagen Polo car and drove at him, making contact with his leg but not causing any injury.

The victim leant into the driver’s window and threw a punch at Kulczycki. He drove off laughing, warning: “Next time I am going to kill you.”

Soon afterwards a woman looking after her grandchildren saw the car drive up behind Mr Turner at about 20mph, mount the pavement and strike him.

He went onto the bonnet and hit the windscreen before rolling off onto the road.

“He immediately got back up because he feared the defendant would return and drive over him,” said Miss Marshall.

“He stood up and was applauding. But it turned out he had quite serious injuries.”

As well as heavy bruising he needed a full-length cast on his broken leg.

Police traced the car and when spoken to Kulczycki claimed it had been stolen.

Miss Marshall said he had a number of previous convictions for driving offences.

Paul Jackson, defending, said Kulczycki suffered from “emotional unstable personality disorder”.

He claimed he had received threats centred around Miss Cummins in the build-up to the offence. Mr Turner had been aggressive to Kulczycki outside the shop, said Mr Jackson.

“This kind of behaviour had been going on for about five months,” he continued. “Mr Turner was trying to get to the defendant as he drove away. He had the impression Mr Turner had a weapon.”

Mr Jackson said it was accepted the victim was fortunate his injuries were not more serious.

“He has never been to prison,” he added. “These offences are out of character. He is full of remorse. He is determined to turn his life around.”