MAN DROVE CAR AT BOUNCERS IN A ‘MOMENT OF MADNESS’
PUB DOORMAN INJURED AFTER CROWD BARRIER KNOCKED INTO HIM
PUB doormen had to leap to safety “incredibly quickly” when an irate man drove at them outside a bar.
Kevin McKenna’s Audi knocked down a crowd barrier, which struck one of the men on the leg. The 32-yearold motorist intended using his car as a weapon to cause serious injury in a “moment of madness,” Leicester Crown Court heard.
The incident happened outside the now-closed Gravity sports bar, in Regent Street, Hinckley, on March 6.
McKenna, of Leicester, admitted dangerous driving and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
PUB doormen had to leap to safety “incredibly quickly” when an irate man drove at them on a pavement outside a bar.
Kevin McKenna’s Audi A3 knocked down a crowd barrier, which struck one of the men on the leg, causing bruising.
The 32-year-old motorist intended using his car as a weapon to cause serious injury in a “moment of madness,” Leicester Crown Court was told. Richard Gibbs, prosecuting, said the incident happened outside the nowclosed Gravity sports bar, in Regent Street, Hinckley, on Friday, March 6. McKenna, of Carnation Street, near Abbey Lane, Leicester, admitted dangerous driving and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
McKenna’s lawyer claimed the defendant was assaulted moments earlier, by someone connected with the Gravity bar and the “red mist” descended.
Sentencing, Recorder Francesca Levett said: “You drove off at speed on to the pavement, driving towards doormen who were outside the Gravity bar.
“They responded incredibly quickly and it was incredibly fortunate they weren’t crushed into the side of the building.
“Your vehicle collided with a barrier and one doorman was injured when it was knocked over.”
The recorder said: “I accept it was a classic case of red mist.
“It’s aggravated by the use of a car as a weapon.
“The offence involves an attempt, rather than grievous bodily harm actually being caused.”
The court heard the defendant
had earlier been in a heated discussion, about a family issue, with one of the doormen at another bar across the road, Kasey’s.
There was an altercation with someone else in the street - who was said to have been connected to the Gravity sports bar across the road.
McKenna was allegedly assaulted and ended up on the ground.
McKenna’s female companion was angrily remonstrating with people at the scene.
Doormen from Gravity crossed the road to intervene, but then returned to their side of the road outside the sports bar.
It was then that enraged McKenna got into his car.
Helen Johnson, mitigating for McKenna, a father of five, said: “It was a moment of madness.
“He can’t remember what happened... it’s a case of seeing red mist.
“He drove up onto the pavement causing those outside to step back out of the way.
“One of the crowd barriers fell on to a doorman’s leg and caused bruising but he didn’t need medical or hospital treatment.
“He’s remorseful and regrets behaving in that way.”
Miss Johnson said: “He’s someone with responsibilities and he knows he’s let his family down.
“There was some provocation (caused by the alleged earlier assault).”
McKenna, who also admitted the incident put him in breach of two suspended sentences, for earlier unrelated offences, was jailed for a total of three years and 26 weeks.
It was incredibly fortunate they weren’t crushed into the side of the building
Recorder Francesca Levett