A drug dealer from Hatfield has been jailed for more than 10 years after killing an armed robber who stole cocaine and money from him.

Karan Soni, of Birchwood Avenue, was convicted of the manslaughter of Tola Piper at Luton Crown Court on Friday, and sentenced to 10 years and four months behind bars.

The courts heard that on November 29 last year, Soni drove a Vauxhall Insignia into Mr Piper in Dewsbury Road, Luton, causing him to fall onto the bonnet.

The victim was then catapulted into the air when one of Insignia’s wheels locked with the victim’s getaway car, a Nissan Micra, before being crushed under the wheels.

Police and paramedics were called, but they were unable to save Mr Piper who suffered fatal chest injuries.

Soni was arrested the next day, and the 27-year-old telling officers in a written statement that he had been threatened with a knife held to his throat.

He later admitted that more than £1,000 in cash, a knife and wraps of cocaine found in the round after the incident were his.

“Mr Soni was dealing in class A drugs,” said prosecutor Martin Mulgrew.

“This gave him the motive to get his drugs and cash back from Mr Piper. He angrily pursued Mr Piper.”

Giving evidence, Soni admitted that had built up a cannabis debt and had been told to deliver drugs to a man in Parys Road, off Runfold Avenue.

He said he had never met Mr Piper before, but when he got into his vehicle he pulled a machete out of a drawstring bag and placed it against his neck.

“I froze. He shouted: ‘Don’t try anything’. I put my hands up,” continued Soni.

“He asked me to put the money and drugs in the drawstring bag. He pushed the blade into my neck and took my phone.”

Judge, Justice Sara Cockerill, said the victim would not have suffered serious harm, if it wasn’t for the wheels interlocking, describing it as a “freak accident”.

“By the jury’s verdict they were sure the impact was not result of accident but that you deliberately drove at Mr Piper,” she added.

Soni also pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and has been banned from driving for five years and 11 months.