Shocking footage shows moment driver deliberately hits two people with car outside Rawtenstall nightclub

A man who hit two people with his car after deliberately mounting the pavement outside a nightclub in Rawtenstall has been jailed.
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The scene unfolded on Bacup Road, close to Revival Nightclub, when Lee Clarke hit a man and a woman with his car at around 11.30pm on December 24, 2019.

Dashcam footage, released by police this afternoon (February 19), shows Clarke mounting the pavement in a blue Volkswagen Golf before accelerating and knocking the pair to the ground.

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Clarke then drives the car towards the woman for a second time before reversing and driving at them again.

Following the attack, Clarke fled the scene, almost hitting a member of the public and narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with another car.

Clarke, of Bacup Road, Rossendale, appeared at Burnley Crown Court earlier this week where he was jailed for six-and-half years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to unrelated dangerous driving and assault offences.

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DC Melisa Chadwick, of East CID, said: "I welcome the sentence handed down to Clarke and I hope it sends out a clear message that Lancashire Constabulary and the courts will not tolerate this reckless and despicable behaviour.

Dashcam footage shows Clarke mounting the pavement in a blue Volkswagen Golf before accelerating and knocking the pair to the ground. (Credit: Lancashire Police)Dashcam footage shows Clarke mounting the pavement in a blue Volkswagen Golf before accelerating and knocking the pair to the ground. (Credit: Lancashire Police)
Dashcam footage shows Clarke mounting the pavement in a blue Volkswagen Golf before accelerating and knocking the pair to the ground. (Credit: Lancashire Police)

"Clarke made the conscious decision to turn his car into a weapon and it is extremely fortunate that it did not result in the death of his completely innocent victims or a member of the public.

"This incident caused a great deal of concern in the community at the time and I am glad this case has now been brought to a conclusion and Clarke will have a considerable time in custody to think about the consequences of his actions and how much worse it could have been."

Officers say prior to the incident there had been an altercation between Clarke and the two victims, who are both in their 20s, in a nearby pub.

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During the argument the male victim was subjected to racial abuse and both he and the female victim were threatened with violence.

Lee Clarke (pictured) has been jailed for six-and-half years. (Credit: Lancashire Police)Lee Clarke (pictured) has been jailed for six-and-half years. (Credit: Lancashire Police)
Lee Clarke (pictured) has been jailed for six-and-half years. (Credit: Lancashire Police)

The victims then headed to the nightclub and Clarke got into the Golf.

It was while the victims were queuing to get inside the nightclub that the car was deliberately driven at them, according to police.

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