'Violent thugs' jailed after running man over

Two men who attacked a victim with bricks and ran him over in their car have been jailed for more than 15 years.

Ryan O'Leary and Darnell Smith got into a confrontation with their victim before launching their violent attack in the Biscot area of Luton in November 2020.

After getting in their car to leave, O'Leary and Smith got back out of the vehicle and initially sprayed their victim in the eyes with air freshener.

O'Leary and Smith went on to chase the victim in the street, throw bricks at him and attack him with bricks while he was lying on the floor.

With the victim lying prone in the road, the pair's vehicle was then driven over him before it was driven off.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries but has since made a full recovery.

Bedfordshire Police recovered the vehicle involved shortly afterwards and were able to fast track forensics which identified O'Leary's handprint on another car from the scene.

At around the same time two men phoned the victim and attempted to engage in witness intimidation.

Police were able to link the number this call was made from to Smith. This phone was also placed at the scene when the attack took place.

O'Leary, 30, of Brussels Way, Luton, and Smith, 23, of Whipperley Ring, Luton, pleaded and were found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm respectively.

On Wednesday, (February 1) at Luton Crown Court, both men were branded dangerous offenders by the judge in the case.

Smith was handed an eight-year prison sentence with an extended licence period on top of that of three years.

He will serve an additional year in prison after pleading guilty to separate drugs supply offences, taking his total jail term to nine years.

O'Leary was sentenced to spend six years and nine months in prison, and will spend an extended two years and three months on licence.

He was also handed a one-year jail term for dangerous driving, which will be served concurrently, and has been disqualified from driving for over seven years.

Detective Constable Bill Haigh from Bedfordshire Police said: "This is truly shocking violence which could have had even more serious consequences for the victim.

"O'Leary and Smith have used bricks and even their vehicle as weapons. This kind of behaviour is mindless, dangerous and without a shred of human decency.

"These prison sentences and extended licence periods recognise the severity of this awful offending.

"Men capable of this kind of violence should not be out on the streets and we'll work tirelessly to put such violent thugs behind bars."

Violent thug: Ryan O'Leary