Driver jailed for running over innocent youth in his 4×4 after chasing knock-and-run banter

A man who mowed down an innocent schoolboy after going after pranksters has been jailed.

Oliver Donnellan, 47, left business administration student Christopher German with serious leg injuries after using his SUV “as a weapon” while the victim sat on a park gate with friends.

He was jailed for 12 months after being found guilty by a jury of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also given a three-year driving ban.

Donnellan, a former director of an IT consultancy, was in a rage after two teenagers he had a confrontation with a week earlier knocked on his £350,000 semi-detached house in Over Hulton, Bolton, and then ran off as a prank .

The father of two gave chase, jumping into his Land Rover Discovery with his brother. He raced down a grass track leading to Cutacre Country Park in Atherton, near Manchester, to find the culprits.

Oliver Donnellan, 47, used his SUV “as a weapon” while the victim sat on a park gate with friends

20-year-old business administration student Christopher German was left with serious leg injuries and later required a full knee reconstruction

But instead he hit Mr German, 20, who was Dr. Who was watching on the phone. The student – who was not involved in the earlier incidents – was thrown onto the bonnet.

Donnellan sped off while Mr. German’s friends tended to him. Later, his knee required a full reconstruction and he was unable to play soccer or skateboard.

Donnellan sped home after his attack and had the damage repaired before replacing the Land Rover with an Audi.

18 months later he was charged. Mr German’s father, Martin, told Bolton Crown Court the businessman had tried to portray himself as a respected, upstanding member of the community – “but I know otherwise”.

He added, “My son went out on a Saturday and his life was changed forever because a red mist descended on you and you couldn’t control yourself.”

He said Donnellan “never expressed a shred of remorse.” The victim’s mother, Lynda, cried as she told the court Donnellan “used his car as a gun”.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk