A Dartford man has been put behind bars after he repeatedly rammed his car into his former lover’s new partner.

Lawrence Kulczycki, 33, of St Edmunds Road, was jailed for six years after being convicted of dangerous driving and of causing grievous bodily harm.

He was previously charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent – which was accepted by prosecution lawyers.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that shortly after 8am on January 12, Kulczycki had exchanged words with his ex-partner’s boyfriend, Lee Turner, outside a newsagents in Henderson Drive, Dartford.

He then got into his red Polo and drove it at Mr Turner, hitting his right leg before leaving the area.

As the victim attempted to walk away, Kulczycki returned and mounted the pavement before hitting his love rival from behind causing him to roll up onto the windscreen and back down to the floor.

Mr Turner suffered a broken leg and various cuts and bruises in the ordeal.

When police called Kulczycki as part of their initial enquiries, he claimed his car had been stolen from him that morning but refused to meet up with them or tell them where he was.

Shortly after 11am the same day he was spotted driving the vehicle near Taddington roundabout in Chatham, where officers were forced to carry out a tactical stop to catch him.

Detective Sergeant Beverley Morrison of Kent Police said: “Lawrence Kulczycki demonstrated a shocking disregard for the welfare of his victim and that of other pedestrians who narrowly avoided being hit.

“There is never any excuse for violence of this nature and Kulczycki can count himself lucky there were not far more serious consequences for his actions.

“He will now serve a lengthy period of time in custody when he will hopefully learn how to control his temper so something like this does not happen again.”

He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on June 20.