Driver jailed for deliberate hit-and-run

A man who deliberately drove a rental car into two pedestrians has been jailed for more than four years.

Olsi Ceka, 32, previously of Spencer Bridge Road, Northampton, drove a blue Peugeot at a man and a woman on Black Lion Hill following an earlier dispute.

Ceka had pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court in January to grievous bodily harm with intent, attempted grievous bodily harm, and possession of Class A and Class B drugs.

He has been sentenced to 49 months in prison and given a 36-month driving ban.

The incident happened near the railway station on 28 September 2023. Ceka mounted the pavement and hit the pair from behind before driving away.

The woman, 22, suffered a fractured ankle after being thrown against a bridge wall while the 25-year-old man escaped serious injury.

Det Con James Oxford said: "The fact Ceka chose to use his hire car as a weapon and deliberately drove it at two people demonstrates a shocking disregard to the consequences of his actions.

"This could have easily been a completely different type of investigation which carries a life sentence, but it is just through sheer luck that Ceka did not kill or seriously injure anyone that day."

Three passengers in the car with Ceka faced no further action.

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