A 'DANGEROUS' thug who admitted carrying out a terrifying hit-and-run attack outside a Bournemouth nightspot has been jailed.

Dean Cambage, of Bloemfontein Road in Shepherd's Bush, repeatedly drove a stolen BMW car into pedestrians on the pavement outside Poole Hill's Winchester pub in the early hours of Sunday, August 24 last year.

The defendant - who has been in prison for 11 of his 33 years - launched an attack after being thrown out of the venue with friend Julian Belton following a dispute over a glass of wine.

Manager of the pub, 51-year-old Mark Berry, was thrown into the air by the car, suffering a head injury and fractured wrist and requiring 30 stitches to his face.

Jordan March, 22, who had been sitting on the pavement with a friend, sustained serious bruising after being struck by the vehicle.

Prosecuting, Tom Evans said Cambage left the scene after the attack and was believed to have skipped the country.

Detectives offered a £3,000 reward for help tracking him down, and an appeal featured on BBC's Crimewatch.

However, he was eventually arrested five months later after DNA evidence later linked him to a burglary in London, the court heard.

Cambage, who has never held a driving licence, admitted attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.

James Hasslacher, mitigating, said the offence was committed out of "total stupidity" but said it it was "out of character" when considering the defendant's previous offending.

He said Mr Belton had been punched after being ejected from The Winchester, while Cambage himself had been "threatened" before the incident.

But Judge Peter Johnson said he considers Cambage to be a dangerous offender, and said: "This was a shocking attack on innocent members of the public causing horror, fear and physical injury."

He handed the defendant an extended sentence of 13 years, eight of which will be served in prison before he is assessed by a parole board for release, and five on licence.

The offence in Bournemouth was committed while Cambage was on licence for an aggravated burglary in Moorland Road, Bournemouth, for which he was sentenced to six years behind bars.

During the burglary, which took place at a private home in 2010, Cambage and another man made their victim kneel before one waved a knife at his face and shouted: "I'll cut you."

In December 2000 and January 2001, Cambage was involved in two further aggravated burglaries in London.

In the second, committed at Roy King Jewels in Mayfair, £208,500-worth of property was stolen and a man was threatened with a claw hammer.

"Reckless and dangerous" - officer condemns Cambage attack

Detective Constable Will Burnett, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was a terrifying incident which was sparked by a dispute over a drink.

“Dean Cambage’s actions that night were extremely reckless and dangerous.

“The fact that Cambage’s victims were not more seriously injured is nothing less than miraculous.

“Bournemouth welcomes thousands of people each weekend who visit the town to enjoy its vibrant club and bar scene. Incidents like these will not be tolerated.

“Dorset Police’s licensing department, working in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council, is committed to maintaining a safe environment for this community. We will relentlessly track down and bring to justice those who seek to disrupt Bournemouth’s nightlife.”

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