A man who drove his van into a football club chairman following a “heated” car park row has admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Jamie Ingram, of Joy Lane, Whitstable, crashed his vehicle into Herne Bay FC’s Sam Callander on May 11, landing the victim in hospital.

During court proceedings yesterday, Ingram’s barrister Anna Bond said CCTV footage of the incident showed the two men – who are understood to be known to each other – arguing moments before the collision in John Wilson Business Park in Whitstable.

“The CCTV footage shows the complainant get out of his vehicle and, to use the colloquial phrase, get in his face,” said Ms Bond.

“The complainant then slams the door of the defendant’s vehicle.

“The defendant doesn’t get fully out of his van to respond to that, and is quite frantic in doing so.”

Following the heated exchange, Ingram’s van lurched towards Mr Callander before moving again to make contact with him.

Mr Callander suffered non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident and spent several days in hospital.

He had been appointed as chairman of Herne Bay FC in April. But just days after being hit by Ingram’s van, he announced that “with a heavy heart” he was standing down from the role.

Ingram appeared before Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday dressed in a grey suit and a pale blue shirt.

He had originally been charged with committing assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent, but yesterday morning pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Nevertheless, prosecutor Nicholas Jones says the harm Ingram caused was by no accident.

“The defence claims that the injuries were caused by panic and an unfamiliarity with the vehicle’s controls - but the crown does not accept that,” said Mr Jones.

“The incident coincided with the defendant having had a heated argument with the victim just moments before and also certain words having been said in the aftermath.”

Judge Simon Taylor KC ruled that the original charge would lie on file and adjourned proceedings so that medical evidence of the victim’s injuries could be obtained.

“Mr Ingram, we have made significant progress in your case today,” Judge Taylor told the defendant.

“You have pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, but I need to know more about the injury you caused Mr Callander.”

Mr Ingram was released on bail under the conditions of a curfew and residing at a specific address.

He is due to appear before the court again on August 24 when the case continues.

KentOnline previously reported how the incident had sparked a huge emergency services response, with police and paramedics called to the scene.

Staff at Achieving Clarity – a chartered accountancy firm on the business park – took care of Mr Callander in their office before the crews arrived.

A director of the firm, who asked only to be named as Christian, said: “He was outside our door holding his left leg and saying he was in a lot of pain.

“We helped him inside and took care of him while the paramedics were on their way.

“Armed police and paramedics showed up and the man’s family also arrived. At one point there were about 25 police officers in our office.”

In a statement released on May 20, Mr Callander said: "Since the assault on me, I realise that with the injuries sustained, I have a very long period of recovery ahead of me and I believe I could not give the club the commitment it deserves.

"So, it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing I am stepping down as chairman of Herne Bay Football Club."