A former mayor is on trial accused of losing his temper and driving his car at a nurse and injuring her leg.

Vaughan Hewett, 66, lost his temper when he believed someone had jumped a queue during a Covid-19 vaccination programme event.

Prosecutor John Fitzgerald told Maidstone Crown Court: "This is a case about a man under pressure, in difficult circumstances, who lost his temper.

"Sadly, he took it out on a nurse just doing her job for the community as part of the Covid-19 vaccination programme."

Hewett, of Marshall Road, Gillingham, denies two charges of dangerous driving and assaulting an emergency worker.

Mr Fitzgerald told the jury: "The prosecution case is that Mr Hewett was angry that someone had jumped the queue and after being rude and raising his voice to the nurse, Susan Dyett and security staff."

"He drove his Skoda deliberately at the nurse and his car came into contact with her leg on April 16, 2021.

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"This was during the time when our lives were dominated by Covid-19 and our vaccination programmes were in full swing.

"Ms Dyett was working in the grounds of Medway Maritime Hospital as an assistant taking swab tests, doing a shift from 8am to 4pm.

"At 9.40 am, she went into the car park to meet her next appointment, who was the defendant’s wife, Mrs Hewett.

"Sadly, Mrs Hewett is very ill and needed a negative test to be able to continue her cancer treatment."

The jury heard how as Mrs Dyett came out of her office, Hewett started shouting at her, complaining that someone had jumped the queue in front of him.

The prosecutor added: "She thought he was rather aggressive. Mrs Dyett apologised, not that she needed to, but pointed out she had not seen what happened."

The defendant said rather arrogantly, “I pay your wages”, probably suggesting that because he pays taxes, he is somehow entitled to speak to her in that fashion, he claimed.

"Mrs Hewett was assisted from the car to allow the swab test to be completed despite her husband’s behaviour.

"As Mrs Hewett got out of the car, she said, 'You should have answered sooner', as if to explain how her husband’s behaviour could have been avoided and apparently accepting it was unreasonable."

He added: "Mrs Dyett returned and moved in front of the defendant’s car to make a note of the registration plate.

"Whether out of anger, frustration, a desire not to be identified through his number plate, or more likely all of the above, this was not an accident..."

"Mrs Hewett had returned to the vehicle and so they were ready to leave. It seems Mr Hewett did not want his number plate taken.

"The defendant drove forward and hit Mrs Dyett on the leg. This must have been deliberate.

"The defendant must have seen Mrs Dyett, dressed as she was in her bright blue nurses' scrubs uniform, and since she was within a few feet of his front bumper.

"Whether out of anger, frustration, a desire not to be identified through his number plate, or more likely all of the above, this was not an accident.

"Mrs Dyett stumbled to one side and moved out of the way. The defendant drove off, apparently disinterested in Mrs Dyett’s welfare."

In a statement, Hewett said someone had parked so as to jump the queue and he had made a polite inquiry of Mrs Dyett, nothing more.

He said he was not rude, aggressive or any louder than necessary to be heard through his face mask.

Hewett claimed that as he drove away, Mrs Dyett recklessly ran in front of his vehicle, apparently to stop him leaving.

He was shocked and stopped immediately. In essence, he said, it was her fault.

The trial continues.