Driver Stuart Nicholls who tried to run down a security guard and then reversed over his foot was today starting a three-year jail sentence.

Nicholls, 22, of Lime Grove, Southmoor, admitted a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm against Simon Cole last May.

Anthony McGeorge, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court Nicholls had been spotted by the security guard shoplifting in the B&Q store at the John Allen Business Park, Cowley, and the security guard tried to stop him escaping from the car park.

Mr McGeorge said: "The defendant drove at Mr Cole who jumped out the way but the car caught him and caused him to fall down. It then reversed over his foot."

The car then smashed through security gates which had been preventing Nicholls's escape.

Nicholls was charged by police after a school friend, who was in the car park, had identified him as the driver.

Nicholls also admitted assaulting Christopher Howland in Cornmarket Street, Oxford, last November. The court heard Mr Howland's jaw was broken in the attack.

Mr McGeorge said Nicholls and his friend Anthony Waldon had been caught on CCTV carrying out the assault.

Jonathan Hill, defending, said Nicholls did not realise he had reversed over Mr Cole's foot, and the security guard suffered only bruising and swelling to his foot.

He said Waldon had been the ringleader in the Cornmarket attack. Nicholls had kicked Mr Howland twice.