A thug who killed a man by driving 4×4 over his head in an ‘act of revenge’ was jailed for life this week.
Self-proclaimed ‘bad boy’ Kyle Dumble, 27, will spend at least 17 years in prison after deliberating crushing Jack Field, 24, under the wheels of his black Mitsubishi Shogun to ‘teach him a lesson’.
Mr Field was walking home from birthday celebrations in Hailsham, East Sussex on November 18 2023 when the attack took place.
Mr Dumble said he was on his way to buy cocaine with his friend Jimmy Stonestreet when the confrontation with Jack Field and his group of friends started.
Mr Field and his friends fought with Mr Stonestreet after he shouted ‘What are you looking at?’ towards them.
Dumble reversed the Mitsubishi Shogun into Mr Field knocking him to the ground.
He then leaned out of the driver side window to check behind him before reversing over Mr Field.
Witnesses described hearing a popping sound as the car drove backwards over Mr Field’s head, killing him instantly.
Jack Field, 24, from Halisham died after his skull was crushed when he was intentionally run over by a 4×4
The driver, Kyle Dumble, 27, used his car to knock Mr Field over before reversing over his head
Dumble, a self-proclaimed ‘bad boy’, refused to give evidence at his trial and was jailed for life
Speaking at Hove Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Gold said Dumble’s actions were ‘an act of revenge’ and an attempt to ‘sort him out’.
Dumble, who refused to give evidence at his trial, told a female friend: ‘Man thought he was a bad boy, I showed him I’m a bad boy.’
The jury in Hove were told they would not be asked to look at the horrific injuries caused by the 4×4.
Tana Adkin KC for the Crown said Mr Field was murdered in an act of pure anger, retaliation and revenge.
Experts rejected Dumble’s claim a faulty automatic gearbox caused the Shogun to slip into reverse.
They returned a majority verdict by 10 to two that Mr Dumble was guilty of murder after almost 16 hours.
Mr Dumble was also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to another member of the group.
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’.
Mr Dumble arrives at Lewes Crown Court where he was charged with murder, attempted GBH with intent, disqualified driving and driving without insurance
He said: ‘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.’
He added: ‘He was driving at them to teach them a lesson, to sort them out and show them he was a bad boy,’ Ms Adkin said.
In a statement, the family said: ‘Jack was a loving son, brother and friend. He was the most selfless, respectful gentleman who would do anything for anyone and always putting others before himself.
‘He was everyone’s best friend, role model and hero. He will never be able to be replaced and has left a gaping hole which will never be filled but we will hold him in our hearts forever.
‘Darling Jack, we love you so much, goodbye for now baby boy. Although nothing can bring Jack back, we are pleased [Mr Dumble] has got the justice he deserves.’
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell of Sussex Police said: ‘This was a senseless, seemingly unprovoked act of violence that has robbed a young man of his life.
‘My thoughts remain with Jack’s family and loved ones, as they have throughout this investigation.
The trial heard how Mr Dumble told a female friend: ‘Man thought he was a bad boy, I showed him I’m a bad boy’
‘Kyle Dumble turned his car into a deadly weapon that night in November, and fled the area with no regard for the tragic scene he left behind.’
Alan Kent KC for Kyle Dumble said he 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. ‘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.
Kyle Dumble’s brother Reece Dumble was found not guilty of intimidating witnesses following the murder.
