Drink driver convicted of attempted murder after running over man in Blackpool in 'random' 3am attack
“He showed a complete disregard to his life, driving the car over him and then appeared to aim for him again as he lay on the road.”
A man has been found guilty of attempted murder after he deliberately ran over his victim following a verbal altercation in Condor Grove.
A two day trial at Preston Crown Court found Niall Reynolds guilty of attempted murder, driving a motor vehicle while above the alcohol limit, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and two offences of criminal damage.
Reynolds, 24, of Glenmore Drive, Coventry, was behind the wheel of a VW Passat which mounted the kerb and ran over the 28-year-old victim shortly before 3am on Monday April 27.
He was flung onto the bonnet before falling in front of the car and then deliberately driven over by Reynolds.
Reynolds momentarily drove off, but when he noticed the seriously injured victim being looked after in the middle of the road by a friend, he drove back and thankfully the victim was dragged out of the road to avoid being hit again. Reynolds then fled the scene at speed.
It followed a brief exchange of words between Reynolds and the victim as he was waiting for a taxi with friends.
Reynolds approached the group asking if they sold drugs and took offence when he was told no.
When Reynolds drove off, he went over the roundabout and turned back heading towards the group at speed and also collided with several parked vehicles on Condor Grove.
He then got out of the Passat and chased after the group before returning to his car.
Reynolds then mounted the kerb onto the pavement and chased after the victim onto the road before running over him.
The victim suffered significant injuries which resulted in him being hospitalised for several months.
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Reynolds was stopped in his car a short time after the incident and was arrested.
He was convicted on Tuesday October 27 and will return to the same court to be sentenced on March 5th 2027.
Det Con Ross Gibbs, of Blackpool CID, said: “This was a random attack, with Reynolds and the victim not known to each other. Reynolds used his car as a weapon and his deliberate actions led to the victim suffering serious injuries.
“He showed a complete disregard to his life, driving the car over him and then appeared to aim for him again as he lay on the road.
“I hope that the jury’s verdict can deliver a sense of justice to his family.”