Club owner drove into man after attack with wok
A cabaret club boss has avoided jail after running over a man who ran amok with a wok.
Maidstone Crown Court heard how Victoria’s Cabaret Club director Spencer Holley had “seen red” and driven into victim Stephen Allen.
Mr Allen had to be taken by air ambulance to Maidstone Hospital where he needed stitches after hitting his head.
Holley initially drove off from the scene in East Street, Harrietsham, in November 2014, but returned shortly afterwards and was arrested.
On Friday, the 47-year-old, of Ashford Road, Harrietsham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and malicious wounding.
Danny Moore, defending, described the attack as a “oneoff abhorrence” which came after the victim turned up at Holley’s home.
Mr Allen, who the court heard had mental health difficulties, was said to be “ranting and raving” and banging a wok against the garden fence which he later launched at Holley’s Honda CR-V.
But prosecutor Robert Brown told how, as Mr Allen turned to leave, Holley got into his car and followed him. After Mr Allen came at the car with a wooden pole, a witness described hearing a car engine revving before the vehicle hit the 26-year-old.
Judge Philip Statman told Holley: “I accept that there was a good degree of provocation. I take the view that you have shown remorse, have been of previous good character, that this was an isolated incident and that you are the primary carer of your elderly mother.”
Holley was given a year-long jail sentence for the wounding, and a concurrent six month prison sentence for dangerous driving, both suspended for two years. He was banned for a year and ordered to take an extended test before getting his licence back. Holley will also have to do 150 hours of community work.