THE horrific details of the way Isle of Wight man Rhys Peacey was left for dead after being deliberately run over in the Alps have been revealed in a French courtroom.

Snowboarder Rhys’s family say they feel vindicated after a French-Moroccan man was jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of the attempted murder of the 23-year-old in February 2017 in the resort of Chamonix.

Rhys was left in a coma following what was originally described as a hit and run and was left hovering between life and death.

He is still suffering physically and mentally, and has just had to endure a three-day trial of the man responsible.

Suzanne Peacey, Rhys’s mother, said the family were feeling mixed emotions but were pleased they could now say it was more than a hit and run accident, it was a deliberate attempt to kill.

“We spent three days at Annecy High Court and it was horrific, but we are delighted with the verdict. Justice has been done. They do not mess about in France and he was sentenced there and then, to 12 years in prison.

“We have mixed feelings — anger, frustration, relief.

“Rhys was totally innocent. He was living and working in France, enjoying his snowboarding and having a fantastic time, until this happened.”

Rhys, who had been working and snowboarding in the resort, was with friends when the man and others started hurling obscenities at the girls, and a small fight broke out. The court heard that the man drove towards the group, turning his steering wheel at speed towards them, then turned his car round to drive back over Rhys.

Rhys, of Northwood, suffered terrible head injuries and has been left brain damaged. He cannot walk properly or use his right hand.

Suzanne said: “He has to live with this for the rest of his life.”

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said: “Our staff have been assisting the family of a British man who was injured in France. We are also in regular contact with the French authorities.”