A DRUNK driver who caused catastrophic injuries to a father-of-three when he deliberately ploughed into a group of people outside a Bradford nightclub has been locked up for 11 years.

Istahar Ali, 19, destroyed Luke Harris's life when he dragged him under his car for at least 30 yards, only stopping when his trapped body prevented the vehicle moving further forward, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Mr Harris, a store manager, suffered such devastating injuries that his heartbroken family expected to lose him, prosecutor Heather Gilmore said.

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Paramedics saved his life at the scene but he was on full life support at Leeds General Hospital after sustaining skull fractures, broken ribs, a fractured pelvis and serious grazing to his back needing plastic surgery.

Ali, of Ryedale Way, Allerton, Bradford, was first charged with attempted murder after mowing Mr Harris down outside The Village and Uber Nightclub in Sackville Street at 5am on August 22.

Istahar Ali was locked up for 11 years

He then pleaded guilty to causing Mr Harris grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving and causing the club's head doorman, James Rhodes, actual bodily harm.

Ali's co-accused, Tanweer Khan, 27, of Douglas Towers, Radwell Drive, Little Horton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to affray.

He hit a member of the public with a bottle when people tried to detain him at the scene.

Shocking CCTV footage played in court yesterday showed Ali deliberately driving into the club doors at speed after he and Khan were ejected by door staff for not paying.

Tanweer Khan was jailed for 27 months

Mr Rhodes told the police the Seat "came out of nowhere".

He suffered an arm injury trying to stop the car by grabbing the ignition keys.

Bystander Jeffrey Nunney was treated in hospital for leg injuries.

Bradley Rouse was flung over the bonnet into the road and bravely gave chase on foot.

Ali looped up Sunbridge Road and drove a second time at people outside the club, forcing them to jump clear.

He went back round the block and deliberately steered straight into the group for a third time.

Mr Harris was caught under the car and Ali drove off for at least 30 yards.

Ali fled on foot while people at the scene gave Khan "a pasting", Miss Gilmore said.

A CCTV image of the car driven by Istahar Ali after it rammed the nightclub in Sackville Street

Mr Harris's arm was then spotted sticking out from beneath Ali's abandoned car. Willing helpers lifted the vehicle off him and attended to him before paramedics and police arrived.

The melee after the car was driven into the nightclub

Members of Mr Harris's family, who chose to remain in court when the footage was played, were visibly shocked and distressed.

Miss Gilmore said Ali was arrested soon afterwards, smelling of intoxicants. He was over the drink drive limit and tested positive for cocaine.

Both he and Khan made no comment when interviewed by the police.

In mitigation, Ali's barrister, Richard Canning, said his behaviour was out of character because he had taken a cocktail of drugs and alcohol.

"He has severe remorse for his actions," he said.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said: "This is an appalling case. They arise occasionally and professional judges have to deal with them unemotively, but it is very difficult."

Ali's actions that night had ruined the life of an innocent, decent, hard working, family man, said Judge Durham Hall.

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Addressing Ali, he said: "These were truly appalling injuries to Mr Harris. You have destroyed him, effectively, Mr Harris and his family."

He paid tribute to Mr Harris's partner, Jenny Taylor, for her calmness and bravery in reading out her victim impact statement to the court.

He said of Ali: "She was courteous enough to refer to you as selfish - you're just bad.

"You could not have caused any more serious harm other than murdering that man, which you nearly did.

"You were motivated by nastiness, anger and arrogance. Three times you drove at those people."

The judge ruled that Ali posed a significant risk to the public of causing serious harm.

He sentenced him to a 15-year term of custody, comprising 11 years detention in a young offender institution and four years on extended licence.

Judge Durham Hall told the dock officers: "Take him away from me, please, immediately."

Khan was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment.

As they were led to the cells, Judge Durham Hall said: "It is an appalling claim to have to make but those two young men swaggered out of my court."

After the case, Detective Constable John Gacquin, of Bradford District CID, said: "Ali's actions were totally reckless and caused life-changing injuries to one of the people he hit.

"He then attempted to flee the scene, showing no concern for the man he had seriously injured.

"We hope this lengthy sentence will be of some comfort to the victim, who continues to undergo rehabilitation as a result of some callous and unbelievably dangerous behaviour."