Man who mowed down colleagues after Christmas party row jailed for 30 years

One man was left with a life-changing injury, police say

The defendant sped off with his car windscreen smashed (PA)

A 50-year-old sweet factory worker has been sentenced to 30  years in prison after he deliberately “mowed down” six of his coworkers after a fight at a work Christmas party, police said. One man was left with life-changing injuries.

Andrew Wrigglesworth, of Shirley Avenue, Birstall in West Yorkshire, was tried at Leeds Crown Court and convicted of six counts of attempted murder.

West Yorkshire Police welcomed the lengthy sentence, describing the offence as an “absolutely horrendous" and an "outrageous and brutal act" following the court’s judgement.

Wrigglesworth deliberately drove his red Audi A4 convertible at six of his coworkers after a "scuffle" outside a Cleckheaton pub following a work Christmas party on 22 December last year, according to a police spokesperson.

After he was punched in the face during the fight, witnesses heard Wrigglesworth say “I’m going to f****ing kill them, I’m going to run them over”, Yorkshire Live reported.

The defendant mounted the pavement and drove his car at the men, who were on foot, leaving a 43-year-old man from Cleckheaton, with a life-changing brain injury as a result of the attack. He then sped off in his damaged car. 

The 50-year-old defendant was arrested at his home and found guilty of attempted murder after a trial in August.

Detective Inspector Andrew Cass, senior investigating officer in the case, said: "This was an absolutely horrendous offence and we welcome the strong sentence handed down to Wrigglesworth today.

"It is barely conceivable that someone would attempt to carry out such an outrageous and brutal act, especially against their own colleagues.

"His actions resulted in six men being literally mown down, with one man receiving injuries which will stay with him for the rest of his life."

He added: “A jury of Wrigglesworth's peers determined he had attempted to murder all six of his victims on that Christmas evening, and there is no doubt in our minds that such an outcome must have been his intent in acting in the way he did.”

Mr Cass said the defendant “has never shown any remorse for his actions on that evening”, but that he hopes the strong sentence will "be of some comfort to his victims".