Shocking footage shows the moment a car ploughed into a packed pub while revellers tried to get away. Frank Finn, 18, rammed a black Seat Ibiza into The Dolphin bar in Broadstairs, Kent, just before 2am on April 4 this year.
In the clip, music can be heard blaring while the pub's doormen urge punters to stay inside. One man orders: "Don't let anyone out." The Seat is viewed smashing into the entrance of the boozer while terrified onlookers scream. The driver then appears to wait for around 10 seconds before reversing and then smashing into the wall a second time.
Crash details and aftermath
During the incident, pieces of the car fell off and bits of rubble from the damaged pub were scattered across the road. Witnesses told authorities the carnage started after a man – believed to be the driver – was asked to leave the premises by a doorman following a disturbance inside The Dolphin.
A man in his 30s understood to be a bouncer at the pub was reportedly rushed to hospital after the crash with injuries to his arm and leg, according to Kent Online.
Charges and court proceedings
Following the incident, Finn was arrested and charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving. He has since admitted dangerous driving and damaging property while being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Finn denied the more serious charge of damaging property with intent to endanger life, which the prosecution has now dropped. The 18-year-old had been due to stand trial at Canterbury Crown Court next month.
Sentencing scheduled
Prosecutor Ben Wild said at a hearing this week the Crown Prosecution Service had reviewed the case and deemed it was "not in the public interest to proceed" with the allegation. Mr Wild said: "The matter has been thoroughly reviewed, including in light of the recent psychiatric report on behalf of Mr Finn." Prosecutors asked for the charge to lie on file.
Judge Simon Taylor KC ordered a pre-sentence report and fixed sentencing for November 5. Finn has been remanded in custody until the hearing, and Judge Taylor added any time spent behind bars before sentencing will count towards any custodial term eventually imposed.
