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Thug who hit woman with car is jailed

A driver who hit a woman and broke her leg following a five mile chase involving two cars has been jailed for nearly two years.

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Wolverhampton Crown Court

Christopher Grant was at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta which chased a Renault Mégane from Cannock to Brownhills.

Inside the Mégane was Savanna Fisher who during the pursuit phoned her mother to seek help.

When the cars arrived in Chapel Street, the victim's mother was waiting outside her home with her husband, who was holding a broom.

Both cars stopped before 28-year-old Grant accelerated and smashed into Miss Fisher as she sought to exit the Mégane.

Both her tibia and fibula in her right leg were fractured and she later required surgery which involved inserting pins and plates.

Grant dumped the Fiesta at a nearby canalside before calling 999 to report it had been stolen in a carjacking.

He was arrested the next day and in interview changed his story claiming he had been attacked but had got away at which point he was chased by the Mégane.

He added the Mégane had stopped suddenly and reversed into his car which had caused the damage to the Fiesta.

Grant later pleaded guilty to cause serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday to 19 months in prison.

He was also disqualified from driving for 33.5 months.

Judge James Burbidge QC, said why the two cars were involved in a chase is still not clear.

"The circumstances are a little bit foggy as to why you were pursuing the Mégane," he explained.

"But it was a piece of driving which lasted something like 4.5 miles from Cannock to Brownhills and ultimately the court must sentence you for what was the end result of your driving.

"You spun the wheels of the Fiesta, according to an independent witness, and you knocked into Miss Fisher such that it broke her leg."

Miss Sally Cairns, prosecuting, told the court the crash happened on July 26 last year.

She read a statement on behalf of Miss Fisher which explained she had feared she may never walk again and that she still worries about exiting vehicles.

Ms Joanne Wallbanks, defending, said her client had feared for his safety after seeing a man holding a broom.

She said: "The basis of plea states he didn't deliberately hit her or the car and her getting out of the car was unexpected.

"He sees someone coming out with a broom and anticipates trouble. He reacts in the most stupid of manners."

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