A thug who reversed his car over a love rival in a “moment of madness”, fracturing his skull in nine places and causing swelling to the brain, has been jailed for 10 years.

Peter Duhig was convicted last month of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving.

Alan Foody fell under the rear of Duhig’s VW Bora after he drove at him “deliberately and at speed” on December 12 last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Duhig’s relationship with Sharon Savory had ended in 2012 but they continued to “have relations”.

When they returned from a holiday in Tenerife last August, Duhig discovered she was living with Mr Foody.

Three months later Duhig, 55, followed Miss Savory from work to her home in Leysdown Road, Leysdown, where he then ran down Mr Foody.

He was knocked unconscious and had to be flown by air ambulance to a London hospital.

A CT scan revealed a complex skull fracture and brain haemorrhage and he had to be placed on a ventilator.

Demolition worker Duhig denied the charges but was convicted.

Judge David Griffith-Jones told Duhig he to some extent had reason to be aggrieved with Miss Savory but his behaviour was “quite disgraceful”.

On the day of the attack, she had been seeking to reach the sanctuary of her home.

“But you were not to be deterred,” said the judge. “You shouted at her, causing Mr Foody to intervene. You became incensed and in a moment of absolute madness you reacted in a way that was quite unacceptable.

“You drove forward a short distance before reversing unexpectedly and swiftly towards him, giving him no time to react.

“You had determined in that moment of madness to use your car as a weapon, The car struck him with force and proceeded to run over him.

“As a result, he sustained very severe injuries indeed. I have no doubt he will be left with significant long-term problems.

“These appalling events were witnessed by others, including Mr Foody’s partner Miss Savory. They are very likely to have been traumatised by what happened.”

The judge said Duhig’s actions were “deliberate and wicked”. He was otherwise a decent hardworking man.

“This case presents a tragedy for everyone involved,” he added.

Duhig will start a three-year driving ban when released. He will have to take an extended test before being allowed back on the road.

Miss Savory wept as she told the jury how Mr Foody disappeared under Duhig’s car on December 12 last year.

She said Duhig pulled forward and she thought he was going to drive off.

“He just reversed completely straight over him and I was gobsmacked, absolutely gobsmacked,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There were skid marks in the road.

“One minute Alan was there and then I saw his head on the back of the car, going.
“All of him was underneath the car.”

Miss Savory said Mr Foody, whom she married last month, stood “no chance”.

As well as the skull fractures, he had a severed a nerve from his sinus to his brain, affecting his sense of smell, and now needs a hearing aid in his right ear.

“He has agitation and balance issues, and his brain is still swollen,” she said.

“Every doctor that we have spoken to since have all said the same thing - he should be dead.”

Miss Savory admitted she felt guilt over how she had treated both men.

Mohammed Bashir, defending, said Duhig was frustrated about the way he had been treated by Miss Savory and would not be before court but for one moment of madness.

“He has lost everything,” said Mr Bashir, as Duhig’s two children watched from the public gallery. “He knows he faces a life-changing decision by the court. He will lose his employment and self-respect.

“He says he is truly sorry for the position he put himself in that day. It is one that will not be repeated. He knows had he paused before he reversed he would not be here.”

Told by Mr Bashir he would have suggested a suspended sentence, Judge Griffith-Jones said: “That is wholly unrealistic.”

Mr Foody said in a victim statement he took anti-depressants and suffered from extreme frustration from getting muddled. He suffered severe headaches.

“One question I am asked is if I am back to normal yet,” he said. “My honest answer is I don’t think I ever will be.”

Reacting to the sentence, investigating officer DC Claire Brown said: “This was a particularly nasty crime.

“Duhig let his anger get the better of him and acted in a callous manner in which a man nearly lost his life. I am pleased the sentence reflects the seriousness of this offence.”