Hove Crown Court was packed with the friends and family of Jack Field who had come to watch his killer Kyle Dumble be sentenced.
Dumble drove into the 24-year-old as he walked home from birthday celebrations in Hailsham on November 18, 2023, knocking him to the ground.
A fight had broken out between Mr Field’s group of friends and Dumble’s friend Jimmy Stonestreet.
The trial heard the 27-year-old reversed the Mitsubishi Shogun over Mr Field’s head causing “catastrophic injuries”.
Experts rejected Dumble’s claim a faulty automatic gearbox caused the Shogun to slip into reverse.
Dumble, of no fixed address, was found guilty last week of murder, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and driving while disqualified and without insurance.
The jury returned a majority verdict by ten to two on murder after almost 16 hours.
During today’s sentencing, in mitigation, Alan Kent KC said Dumble did not start the fight “nor did he go out looking for trouble”, although he “could have driven off” from the confrontation.
He said Dumble was suffering from depression at the time and has been diagnosed with ADHD and learning disabilities.
He added Dumble has anger management issues and showed “genuine remorse” at his actions.
“He has two young children,” said Mr Kent of his client.
“They will grow up without their father.
“Life in prison will be difficult for Kyle Dumble and his family.
“Of course that is a consequence of his actions on that night.”
Dumble was sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 17 years for the murder of Mr Field, less the 431 days he had already spent in custody.
He was also given a concurrent six years in prison for attempted grievous bodily harm and a concurrent six months for driving while disqualified.
He will be disqualified from driving for ten years.
For the charge of driving without insurance he was ordered to pay £500 or one day’s imprisonment.
“I therefore deal with the case on the basis that his intention was to cause really serious injury to members of Jack Field’s group,” he said.
Judge Gold said Dumble’s actions could “not be described as premeditated” but were, in his judgement, “an act of revenge against the group for what had just occurred”.
“Kyle Dumble was driving the Shogun,” he said.
“He should not have been.
“He was a disqualified driver.
“All he had to do to avoid the risk of further confrontation was drive away but he decided instead to use the car as a weapon and drive it towards Jack’s group.
“I am satisfied that he did that at least once before embarking on the reversing manoeuvre that caused Jack’s death.”
The judge said Mr Field was “clearly a very special young man”.
“Jack was in full time work at the time of his death,” he said.
“No doubt with many aspirations for the future.
“He has been variously described as loving, caring, loyal, dependable and considerate.”
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