Man jailed after driving van at group of people in Poulton-le-Fylde

A man who drove a van at a group of people in Poulton-le-Fylde, causing life changing injuries to one man, has been jailed.

Frankie Bromley drove at a group of people in Poulton town centre earlier this year.

Bromley went on to collide with two people, leaving one seriously injured – we have chosen not to show this part of the footage, as it is too distressing to share.

Bromley was last week jailed for his actions.

On Sunday 16^th February, at around 12:45am, Bromley drove the hired grey Transit van at a man. The van initially narrowly missed Bromley’s intended target, before colliding with him then hitting the victim, dragging him under the van for around 30 metres, causing him life changing injuries. 

Bromley didn’t stop. Instead, he drove off, weaving through the streets of Poulton. At the same time, his victim was receiving treatment at the scene and later in hospital.

The other man only suffered minor injuries.

An investigation began, and officers located the van abandoned at Skippool car park.

Bromley was arrested and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service was charged with section 18 assault causing grievous bodily harm, attempted section 18 assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving in April this year.

Bromley, 24, of West End, Great Eccleston, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, attempting to cause serious injury by dangerous driving and dangerous driving.

Appearing in the dock he was sentenced to six years in prison, was banned from driving for nine years. He was also given a lifetime restraining order preventing him from entering the Breck Road area of Poulton.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, the victim said: “This incident has had a huge impact on me physically. My lungs are permanently damaged as a result of the van being driven at me. My ribs are very fragile which has meant that I can't play football anymore in case I get knocked into.”

DC Rachael Gregory, of Blackpool CID said: “Bromley used the hired van as a weapon that night, which led to a young man, who was innocently going about his night out, being significantly injured.

“I know that this incident caused a lot of concern in the community at the time, so it was important that we bring you such a significant update.

“We asked the community for their help at the time of the incident, and we know that various members of the public came forward with information and footage that ultimately helped us bring Bromley to justice. For that, I want to make my thanks to them very clear.

“This has been a complex investigation, and whilst it isn’t our place to reflect on the sentence, I do hope that the victim and his loved ones will feel some sense of justice and can begin to move forward with their lives.”