Clowne: Van driver cleared of attempting to kill eight

A man has been found not guilty of the attempted murder of eight people after he drove at them outside a pub.

Jake Wallis was behind the wheel of a van that hit the group at the Nags Head in Clowne, Derbyshire on 4 June.

A jury heard he drove at the crowd three times after he was beaten up.

Wallis had previously admitted two counts of GBH with intent, two counts of causing GBH by dangerous driving and four counts of attempted GBH in relation to the incident.

During a trial at Derby Crown Court, jurors heard one woman was critically injured and two men suffered broken bones in the series of collisions.

The court heard Wallis, 28, of Orchard Rise, Cocking Lane, Treswell, Nottinghamshire, was beaten up by a number of other men during a fight in the pub in the early hours of 4 June.

Andrew Peet, prosecuting, said he went to get his van and then drove at the group three times.

He then reversed out of the pub car park, dragging two women underneath the vehicle.

One of the women was taken to hospital with severe injuries, including multiple fractures and punctured lungs.

After the final collision, Wallis fled his vehicle, running away from the group, but he was tripped and knocked unconscious.

Before the trial, Wallis had pleaded guilty to eight lesser charges, however the prosecution said the evidence justified the more serious charges of attempted murder.

He was also found not guilty of two counts of causing GBH with intent at a hearing on Tuesday and is due to be sentenced at the same court on 19 December.

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