A 30-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for life for nearly decapitating a young father during an episode of "breathtaking" violence outside the Ministry of Sound nightclub.

Ranjit Nankani was told he must serve at least 18 years for the murder after deliberately using a Mitsubishi Shogun 4x4 to mow down Gary Johnson, 25.

CCTV pictures of the incident last August showed how Mr Johnson was struck on the pavement opposite the south London club and thrown into the air.

Mr Johnson, from Stretham, was then carried along on the bonnet of the vehicle and was partially decapitated as his head struck a wall. He died instantly.

His 28-year-old friend Dwayne McPherson took out a gun and fired several rounds at Nankani - but only one bullet struck him and he survived.

Nankani, of Croydon, was found guilty of murder by 11-1 to majority at the Old Bailey last week.

The court heard that on the night of the attack he was at twice the drink-driving limit after downing champagne as well as brandy and coke.

He waited outside the club after he and and his friends were thrown out over a trivial row in which he was accused of treading on Mr Johnson's toe.

Judge Stephen Kramer told Nankani: "What you did must have involved a degree of premeditation.

"It was a targeted revenge attack on a crowded public street when people were leaving the club to go home.

"You waited and you used your vehicle as a lethal weapon in the streets."

McPherson, of Sydenham Park, Sydenham, was found guilty of the attempted murder of Nankani and was also convicted of possession of a firearm.

He will be sentenced on September 10.