Two days later, Wilson's plight deepened when police searched his house and found a small-scale, commercial, indoor cannabis growing operation, complete with growing lamps and extractor fans.
But it was the violence which Justice Paul Heath determined was the most serious offending.
After the High Court at Auckland was shown CCTV footage of the incident, the judge described it as "very disturbing behaviour".
The boat ramp assault began with a confrontation between Wilson and Mr Hughes, who was there with his mate David Ashton. The defendant then circled the carpark in his large people mover and drove back towards the water, lining up Mr Hughes and mowing him down.
"The fact you waited in your vehicle for some time before driving indicates a considered action, not an impulse," Justice Heath said. "It's almost frenzied."
Wilson then accelerated towards Mr Ashton who tried to evade him by rushing into the river.
Defence lawyer Paul Borich told the court there was significant provocation and the incident would not have occurred had the victims left his client alone.
He also pointed to footage of one of the men arming himself with an oar.
But Justice Heath was not swayed.
"The reaction you showed was grossly disproportionate to any provocation that was given," he said.
After the incident, Mr Hughes was taken to Middlemore Hospital where he underwent major surgery.
He spent six weeks in a high-dependency unit and the court heard there was still a chance his leg would need to be amputated.
Mr Hughes had not worked since the attack and his wife had also had to give up her employment to care for him.
"The physical, emotional and financial consequences of your actions are huge," said Justice Heath.
Wilson, whose previous convictions were deemed irrelevant to the sentencing, was not in a position to pay reparation, the judge said.
He was jailed for five years and three months.
