TWO brothers have been jailed following the death of a man who was mowed down on a Barnsley street with a car ‘used as a weapon’ by an offender who fled leaving him to die.

South Yorkshire Police originally investigated the death of 37-year-old Richard Broughton as a potential murder, but later Reece Thompson - previously known as Kayne Reece Jones - admitted manslaughter.

The 26-year-old, of Wortley View, Blacker Hill, was jailed for ten years at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday and his brother Jon Paul Jones, 24, of Welland Crescent, Elsecar, was given a three year sentence after admitting affray and witness intimidation.

An investigation was launched after Mr Broughton was hit by a car in Welland Crescent in April last year, causing injuries which resulted in his death days later.

A post mortem showed his injuries matched up with being run over and an eyewitness told officers a distinctive white Suzuki vehicle had been involved.

Police found a car believed to have been involved dumped in Shaftesbury Avenue, Hoyland, and it was forensically examined, with damage to the under side and traces of blood, which were later matched to Mr Broughton.

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp David Stopford said: “An investigation was launched immediately upon the discovery of Mr Broughton’s body and we issued several public appeals for witnesses to come forward.

“Officers painstakingly tracked the movements of the Suzuki Swift and we recovered the car from Shaftesbury Avenue at around 10pm on Friday night.

“Forensic analysis revealed blood on the underneath of the vehicle and signs of damage. The blood we recovered was DNA-matched to our victim, Richard Broughton.

“This evidence, along with CCTV footage of the incident, demonstrated that Thompson used that car as a weapon to harm Mr Broughton that evening and made no attempt to stop afterwards.

“Our investigation uncovered a number of prior incidents that night between our victim, Jones, Thompson and others, clearly suggesting they were in some kind of dispute.

“That, however, is no excuse for the dangerous and ultimately fatal actions Thompson took in April.

“I am pleased that Thompson has accepted responsibility for his role in Mr Broughton’s death, and that Jones pleaded guilty to his crimes that night.

“I’m grateful to Mr Broughton’s family for their support throughout our inquiry and hope that this conviction brings them some solace, knowing those who played a role in their loved one’s death have appeared before a court and admitted culpability.

“I’d also like to recognise the efforts of my investigative team who have worked relentlessly to gather CCTV footage, forensic evidence and witness testimony that allowed us to build a successful case to put before the courts.”

Police became aware of the incident soon after it happened because two PCSOs working in the area were flagged down by witnesses as Mr Broughton still lay in the road.

Thompson pleaded guilty to manslaughter when he appeared at court in November. He was also banned from driving for seven years.

The charges against Jones were brought in relation to his actions on the night Mr Broughton was fatally injured.