Carjackers’ knifepoint threat before 100mph motorway chase

TWO armed robbers stole a car from a disabled man in Birmingham before driving up to 100mph along two motorways during a police chase.

The pursuit, which lasted for 20 minutes, only came to an end when the driver, who was twice over the alcohol limit, crashed into a police car.

Leigh Grant, 42, of St Matthews Close, Walsall, was jailed for four years and ten months while Lance Dunn, 31, of no fixed address, was sentenced to four years.

Both men had admitted robbery and possessing a blade, while Grant who had also admitted dangerous driving and driving while over the alcohol limit was also banned from the roads for five years and five months.

The victim had driven his 18-yearold son in his adapted Peugeot car, which had a hoist for a scooter, to a job centre in Yardley, on July 25 this year.

When they arrived, the teenager had noticed two men staring at them. As the man was getting out of his vehicle he saw his son “face to face” with Dunn who was holding a knife to his chest. The car keys were handed over and the Peugeot was driven in the direction of Birmingham airport.

A short while later, a number of police cars began pursuing the stolen vehicle.

Ian Ball, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said: “The police described it as driving in excess of 100mph and swerving between lanes. At one point the vehicle lost control and hit the central barrier bouncing off the wall.”

He said at some stages the Peugeot slowed down to 30 to 40mph before speeding up again during the pursuit on the M42 and then the M5.

When quizzed Grant said before the incident they had drunk a bottle of rosé wine while Dunn said they had been heading for Torquay and that he had been scared during the journey.

Judge Richard Bond said: “I have no doubt whatsoever that you targeted your victim because you knew he was disabled.

“On occasions you came within inches of other vehicles. It was complete luck you did not collide with any totally innocent member of the public. You could have turned their car over and killed the occupants.”

Ravi Sidhu, for Dunn, said he accepted he was under the influence of alcohol. He continued: “The plan, if you can describe it as such, the decision to commit these offences was only made a few minutes before the commission of them.”

He said he also accepted he had intimidated his co defendant into taking part.

Lee Masters, for Grant, said he had become homeless and had met Dunn at a mental institution where he was receiving treatment. He said at the time he had lost medication he had been given and was drinking alcohol.