A THUG punched a man with a "spiked knuckleduster" before "reversing his car" into the victim while he was collapsed on the floor.

Serial shoplifter, Wayne Sullivan, of Lime Court, Hockley, was jailed at Basildon Crown Court yesterday for the violent incident as well as a spree of 14 robberies from Asda and Wilko stores. 

The 43-year-old left his victim - who is now scared to leave his home - with scars and serious injuries after the brawl in Ambleside Drive, Southend.

Yesterday at his sentencing hearing, Jack Coyne, prosecuting, said: “The defendant is charged with affray, dangerous driving, and possession of an offensive weapon in the knuckle duster.

“In the early hours of January 2, 2022, the victim was walking on Ambleside Drive, Southend, and was slightly drunk.

“He got in the back of a Ford Mondeo with Wayne Sullivan driving and another person in the passenger seat.

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“Shortly after 4am there was a disagreement caught on CCTV as Sullivan gets out first and approaches the back seat to forcibly remove the victim from the car.”

Following this, a struggle ensued as the defendant and victim started to fight, resulting in Sullivan punching the victim in the face several times with a spiked knuckleduster.

The struggle continued before the victim put Sullivan in a headlock when Jeyes, who had received the knuckleduster, began punching him as his grip loosened.
Sullivan then reversed the Ford Mondeo into the victim who was on the floor.

The victim suffered scars around his eye and bruising which meant he could not work for two weeks.

He added he was "afraid to go out in the evenings and on weekends" in a victim impact statement.

Alongside the assault, Sullivan was convicted of 13 counts of robbery from Asda in Rayleigh and one robbery count from Wilko’s.

During the spree between September 10, 2022 and February 24, 2023, which saw thefts of alcohol values ranging from £424 to £375.

Sullivan has been remanded in custody for shoplifting charges since April.

Judge Samantha Leigh, added: “It is very clear that a drug habit is underlining this behaviour.

“The effect of the dangerous driving and use of the knuckle duster on the victim is clear with the sustained injuries.”

Sullivan was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for robbery, possessing a bladed article, dangerous driving, and possession of an offensive weapon.