Lowther, a married man with previous convictions including robbery, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Wilson grievous bodily harm with intent and admitted two burglary offences.

The court heard that Lowther and his three accomplices had gone out that day looking to burgle commercial premises.

Having failed to break into another company in Brighouse they went into Key Sales Limited where they tried to steal a television.

Although a member of staff had managed to break one of the van’s windows as the gang fled, the vehicle was heading out of the yard when Lowther stopped it.

"I’ve watched the DVD of this CCTV and it is horrific to watch," Recorder Rippon told Lowther.

"You had basically made good your escape. There was absolutely nothing impeding you from driving out of that yard and I take the view that in temper and anger you deliberately put the vehicle into reverse, driving at members of staff and trapping Mr Wilson between your van and another van."

Barrister Ken Green, for Lowther, said his client was genuinely shocked when he saw the CCTV footage and wanted to publicly and genuinely apologise to Mr Wilson.

He said Lowther had not gone out that day intending to harm anyone.

Mr Green conceded that the victim’s injuries were serious, but he submitted that it was fortunate for his client that they were not more serious or even fatal.