Polish forklift truck driver Tomasz Nowak (24) drove his car over Tomasz Grabowski after a dispute between the pair turned to violence during a night out at the Triangle pub in New England.

The incident, in August, left the victim with multiple fractures and internal injuries and on a life support machine in hospital for three weeks.

However, Peterborough Crown Court heard Nowak had not intended to hurt Mr Grabowski, but had been trying to escape after being repeatedly attacked by him when he ran him over.

Yesterday, Nowak pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving after a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent was dropped by prosecutors as his trial was due to begin.

The court was told the dramatic events took place on the evening of Saturday, August 16, outside the pub, in Lincoln Road. Nowak had been drinking with Mr Grabowski when the pub's landlord saw an argument break out between the pair and Mr Grabowski punch the defendant several times in the face.

After the two men were thrown out of the pub, the dispute continued outside in Nowak's silver Honda Accord, where Mr Grabowski was seen to attack his friend again before being pushed out of the vehicle.

Angela Rafferty, prosecuting, said: "While Mr Grabowski was standing in the open door, Mr Nowak started to reverse. The door scooped up Mr Grabowski and knocked him to the floor.

"At this stage, Mr Nowak started to move forward and the car went over Mr Grabowski with him lying prostrate on the ground. He was trapped underneath and was dragged along the road for a distance of up to 10 metres."

Mr Grabowski was in hospital for several weeks after the incident and spent three weeks on a life support machine in intensive care. He claims he is unable to work because of his injuries.

Nowak, a marketing and economics graduate, of Forstal Close, in Corby, was arrested shortly after driving away by police who stopped him driving with no lights along Bourges Boulevard in the city centre.

A breath test showed he was more than three times the drink drive limit.

Sentencing him to 12 months in prison, Judge Neil McKittrick said he accepted Nowak was trying to escape his "aggressor" and had not seen Mr Grabowski when he ran him over.

But he added: "I have come to the conclusion that given the high amount of alcohol in your breath, the circumstances of the dangerous driving – albeit for a relatively short period of time and distance – and the consequences for Mr Grabowski, only a term of immediate custody can be justified."