Teenager jailed for driving car into group

An 18-year-old man has been jailed after driving a car into a group of three men on Christmas Eve.

Caspen Skinkis, of Queensgate, Northwich, was behind the wheel of a parked Volkswagen Polo as the victims socialised outside the George and Dragon pub on Middlewich Road, Holmes Chapel, on 24 December 2017.

Skinkis began revving his engine and drove at the victims at speed as they stood on a pavement off Crofters Court, which leads to the pub’s car park. The car mounted the curb and hit all three victims. Two of them – a 20-year-old man from Cranage and an 18-year-old man from Knutsford – received only minor injuries – but the third – a 19-year-old man from Chelford – was sent hurling through the air onto the road.

Skinkis, who had three other men in the car with him, then reversed his vehicle before driving forwarded over the man lying on the road. The car went over his head and body. He was taken to hospital in an ambulance and the incident has left him with life-changing facial injuries.

Skinkis was subsequently charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

At Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 9 April he pleaded guilty to the offence, which he committed when he was 17 years old. Skinkis returned to the court for sentencing on Wednesday 22 May. He was jailed for eight years and ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.

Detective Constable Kevin Lloyd said: “Skinkis subjected his victims to a terrifying ordeal and one of them has been left with life-changing injuries as a result of his actions. I welcome the significant custodial sentence that has been handed to Skinkis and hope that it deters others from committing similar offences. I would also like to praise the officers involved in the investigation for all the hard work they have put in to help secure this conviction.”