Thief drove stolen car straight at police officer

Gage Wilkes was cornered in the Skoda behind garages off Coalway Road in Bradmore, Wolverhampton after being chased by a patrol car, the city's Crown Court was told.

“The defendant drove back a few yards and then drove at Pc Ian Skidmore who managed to jump onto the bonnet and was carried eight feet before rolling off,” revealed Mr James Bruce, prosecuting.

The Skoda had been stolen from a house in Great Barr where its owner had left the vehicle with the engine running while the windows defrosted before he drove to work on February 9, it was said.

Six days later Wilkes filled up the car with £57 worth of fuel at the Applegreen Shelfield Services in Walsall before accelerating away without paying.

Chase and struggle

Police were alerted and a patrol car spotted the Skoda later in the day and pursued it around Bradmore until the incident in which Pc Skidmore came close to serious injury.

Wilkes escaped in the vehicle which he dumped one and a half miles away before bursting into a nearby house and urged the occupants to help him to hide.

They refused to offer any assistance and kicked him out of the property as police officers passed the address.

He was arrested on the doorstep and put up a violent struggle, concluded Mr Bruce.

Pc Skidmore was not seriously hurt but was forced to be off duty for some time while recovering.

Wilkes from Croxdene Avenue, Walsall, who had previous convictions involving 16 separate offences, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, assault and bilking.

He was ordered to be detained in a Young Offenders Institution for 16 months and banned from driving for 20 months on release.