A man who deliberately drove into a pedestrian and then tried to cover his tracks by changing the appearance of his van has today been jailed for 12 years.

The Hunts Post: Adam Reeve drove into the man.Adam Reeve drove into the man. (Image: Archant)

Adam Reeve, 22, of Chapnall Road, Wisbech, swerved into the 25-year-old victim as he walked home with friends along Falcon Road at about 4am on June 2 last year.

The victim was thrown into the air by the impact of the crash, but Reeve sped off.

A few minutes earlier the victim and his friends had ran over to Reeve and his associates after mistaking him for another person.

The victim spent six days in hospital for treatment to his injuries.

In the days that followed, Reeve removed black laminate from the bonnet of Vauxhall Astra van and sprayed the grille red in a bid to disguise the vehicle.

Reeve was arrested but denied it was his vehicle involved in the hit and run.

He later changed his story, admitting his vehicle was involved but claimed an unnamed friend was driving and he was sitting in the passenger seat.

Reeve denied causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving but was convicted following a trial. He admitted perverting the course of justice in relation to trying to disguise his vehicle.

He was jailed for 12 years at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday) and received a five-year driving ban.

Sentencing Reeve, judge Gareth Hawkesworth said: “You used your car as a weapon and potentially as a lethal weapon. It’s a mercy that greater injury was not caused.”

He said one of his victim’s testicles “is now so damaged it is useless. He has been left with substantial pain and is still in pain. He has lost all confidence in having relationships.”

Det Con James Bennett, who investigated the case, said: “The CCTV images show just how shocking Reeve’s actions on the night were. He deliberately drove into the victim who was thrown into the air by the impact.

“It is miraculous that he did not suffer more serious, or even fatal, injuries.

“Reeve tried to cover his tracks by changing the appearance of his vehicle and has continued to deny his actions, despite overwhelming evidence against him.

“He has shown no remorse and is now facing a considerable amount of time behind bars.”