A THUG who used his VW Golf as a weapon was branded cold-blooded by a Swindon judge as he jailed the man for almost 14 years.

Lee Goodchild was said to have seen red as he sat behind the wheel of his £10,000 hatchback in the car park of the Spotted Cow pub.

The 38-year-old had gone to the car park on the night of April 19 to buy drugs. Goodchild claimed a dealer had pulled a knife on him, resulting in him fleeing the scene – and “accidentally” crushing bystander Bradley Atkinson as he reversed out of his parking space.

At Swindon Crown Court this morning, Judge Jason Taylor QC said Goodchild’s claim at trial the injury was caused accidentally would have been laughable had the injuries not been so serious.

After arguing with the dealer, Goodchild was said to have returned to his car. “The red mist slowly descended as you pondered your response over the next three to five minutes,” the judge said.

Rather than fleeing immediately, Goodchild had deliberately driven at what he thought was the drug dealer who had wronged him. It was in fact innocent bystander Bradley Atkinson, who had also gone to the car park to buy drugs.

Mr Atkinson was crushed between the Golf and another car. Surgeons battled successfully to save his leg. He was in hospital for two months but his recovery is expected to take years.

Judge Taylor said: “Collateral or otherwise, the damage caused was life changing and your intention was undoubtedly to cause very serious harm.”

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Spotted Cow pub Picture: GOOGLE

He added: “This was calculating, callous and cold-blooded.

“You used your car as a weapon and, frankly, in my judgement you didn’t care if someone lost a limb or limbs, was paralysed or even worse.”

After fleeing the scene, Goodchild removed the licence plates from his car and hid the vehicle in Marlborough.

Goodchild, formerly of The Crescent, Chiseldon, was found guilty by a Swindon jury last month of wounding with intent. He was cleared of another similar allegation relating to an incident in Liden village centre on December 30.

The Swindon man, who in 2013 was convicted of dangerous driving after he drove deliberately at his then partner, was sentenced to 13 years and 10 months imprisonment. He was also given a four-year driving ban. The Crown was given permission to seize his VW Golf.

The judge stepped short of making Goodchild a dangerous offender, which would have resulted in him serving a longer portion of his prison sentence before being eligible for parole.