A SOUTHAMPTON man who used his car to mow down his ex-wife’s lover has been jailed for six years.

Jason Monk deliberately drove his Volvo into Michael Kilbane as he stood outside his ex-wife’s house in Woolston.

Mr Kilbane suffered serious injuries in the attack in April, including a fractured skull, and has suffered permanent brain damage, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Sentencing, the judge, Mrs Justice Cox, said: “You used your car as a weapon, and as the serious injuries sustained by the victim demonstrate, cars can be a lethal weapon if driven deliberately at pedestrians in this way.”

The five-day trial in October saw the jury clear Monk, 36, of Obelisk Road, Woolston, of attempted murder but unanimously convict him of grievous bodily harm.

The trial heard Monk drove his Volvo onto the pavement and hit Mr Kilbane, leaving him in a pool of blood.

Mr Kilbane had been standing outside the house of Elizabeth Mellor.

He has suffered long-term effects including difficulty in walking, nightmares and depression.

Matthew Jewell, prosecuting, said Mr Kilbane had until recently been homeless and it had been difficult arranging an interview to get a full update.

David Richards, mitigating, said: “He (Monk) is not a man with a tendency to violence. He has done well on remand.

“He’s determined to use his time in custody to better himself so when he comes out he has further qualifications.

“His history of depression means he will find incarceration more difficult than most.”

Mr Richards said his ambition was be a good father for his young daughter.

The judge said yesterday there was an unusual background to the case.

Monk harboured hopes of a reconciliation with Elizabeth Mellor. Mr Kilbane had threatened him with violence.

Mrs Justice Cox said Ms Mellor’s relationship with Mr Kilbane was an abusive one. He had threatened to kill her and been arrested and charged although Ms Mellor later withdrew the allegation.

On the day of the attack Mr Kilbane tried to get into the house and the police were called. That evening Monk saw him in the road and lost his temper, said the judge.