Kettering man who deliberately drove car into crowd of people jailed

A man who deliberately drove his Land Rover into a group of people has been jailed for four years.

Rhys Evan Mercer, 33, of Doris Road in Kettering, caused serious injuries to the pedestrians after he drove his white Defender into them in Bath Road on 16 April 2023 .

He had had an argument with the group of seven people earlier in the day and returned in his car to mow them down, Northampton Crown Court heard.

One man in his 40s suffered multiple broken ribs, brain hematomas, injuries to his lungs and lost a tooth.

Four others suffered cuts, bruises and fractures.

After the attack, Mercer immediately called 999 to confess to police what he had done.

He pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.

Det con Amie Watson said: "This was a terrifying experience for the victims of this attack and I hope the sentencing of Rhys Mercer provides them with some closure, and an ability to move forward and continue with both their physical and mental recoveries.

"I want to thank them for supporting our investigation and I hope this result demonstrates the seriousness with which the police and the courts take serious violence.

"I hope Rhys Mercer spends his time in prison reflecting on his actions and chooses to make wiser decisions when he is released."

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