A CAR owner who deliberately mowed down two men who he believed had damaged his vehicle has been jailed for almost ten years.

Wayne Howells smashed into his former friends in the early hours of Boxing Day in Eastbourne Road, Stockton, a court was told.

Today (Friday), he was locked up for nine years and nine months for wounding with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

The 22-year-old also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Teesside Crown Court heard how his victims are still suffering from physical and mental problems five months after the drama.

Howells nodded in the dock as the judge, Recorder Alison Hunt, told him: "You used your car as a weapon . . . It has to be jail."

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh told the court how Howells ploughed into the two men at 4.50am after a foul-mouthed exchange in the street.

He was said to have been angry after his Peugeot was damaged, and blamed the 29-year-old and his friend, aged 25, When he saw the men in the street, he initially wanted to fight them, said his lawyer, Adrian Dent, but drove at them instead.

Mr Dent told the court that Howells had bought the car shortly before the incident and was furious after it was damaged.

In an interview with a probation officer, Howells said the other men were to blame - but Mr Dent said he has changed his mind.

Mr Dent said: "He recognises he acts impulsively on occasions, and recognises that he needs to stop binge-drinking."

He added: "Custody is going to be a severe punishment for him . . . his references say he is a very helpful and popular man."

The court heard how both of his victims - who he knew - were taken to hospital after being smashed into by the Peugeot.

A 29-year-old suffered a complicated fracture to his leg and needed surgery, and is still suffering problems with his knee.

Another man, 25, hit the windscreen and suffered severe cuts to his face and neck, as well as cuts and bruises elsewhere.

Howells, of St Anns Terrace, Stockton, was also banned from driving for the next ten years by Miss Recorder Hunt.