A MAN has been sentenced to five years in a young offenders for assaulting two men he ran over in a car park in Southend.

The victims, who are both in their 20s, were walking through the Seaway car park off Lucy Road at around 4.20am on May 14, 2016 when they were struck by a car.

The car, a black BMW 318 coupe, made no effort to stop, driving through a red light and off through the town.

The men were taken to hospital for treatment and their injuries were not-life threatening.

On the morning of the May 15 the Metropolitan Police received a call to a vehicle parked in Rothbury Avenue, Rainham which had been severely damaged.

The car was recovered for forensic examination.

Essex Police later received a call from Colin Keeble, claiming the car was his and he wanted it back.

Keeble, 20, of Rothbury Avenue, Rainham, attended a voluntary interview at Grays police station on May 23.

A search warrant was then carried out at his home address on June 10 during which an electric stun gun was recovered.

Keeble was arrested and later charged with two counts of assault, dangerous driving, and possession of an electric stun gun.

Following a four day trial at Basildon Crown Court, he was convicted of attempted GBH with intent, having previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

At the same court, Keeble was sentenced to five years in a young offenders institute.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Simon Laurie, said: “Colin Keeble showed no regard for the two men he ran down and they were fortunate not to be more seriously injured.

“His actions were reckless and he will now have the next five years in a prison cell to contemplate the consequences of his actions.”