JAILED: Crook stole car outside pizza takeaway as owner clung on
A crook who sped off in a car with the owner clinging on has been jailed for three and a half years.
Kyle Hamer struck after spotting a Hyundai i10 parked outside Pizza Power in Stafford Street, Willenhall, with the driver’s window open and a key in the ignition.
Mehran Bahrami had left it to pop in and see his friend Mehdi Ghahremani, who works in the restaurant and saw the defendant climbing into the car, a judge heard.
He warned Mr Bahrami who dashed outside and grabbed hold of the 23-year-old’s collar as the car accelerated up the street with him clutching to both the clothing and the car, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Hamer avoided a queue at temporary traffic lights by driving onto the pavement and over a mini roundabout before turning sharply into Harper Street where the car ploughed into a tree with the victim still holding on.
Mr Christopher O’Gorman, prosecuting, explained: “The Hyundai reversed, almost hitting a motorcyclist before driving off at up to 40mph while zig zagging in an effort to shake off Mr Bahrami.”
He was finally dislodged but not entirely detached when the car was deliberately driven close to parked cars which hit him.
He was dragged along for a short time until tossed into the road where he rolled over five or six times and was unconscious when he finally came to rest in the street where he was initially treated by passers by at around 5pm on June 20.
The incident had lasted barely a minute.
Mr Ghahremani had tried to follow them in his car and spotted the culprit walking away after abandoning the Hyundai a short distance away.
The restaurateur jumped on the defendant and held him until police arrived.
Hamer was released on bail after questioning and returned to Pizza Power the following day to warn Mr Ghahremani: “I am going to come back and kill you,” continued Mr O’Gorman.
Mr Bahrami needed surgery to repair a fractured right ankle and suffered cuts and bruises.
Mr Oliver Woolhouse, defending, stressed: “The defendant did not go out that day looking to cause harm or take someone else’s car. It was the key in the ignition that attracted him.”
Hamer from St Giles Road, Willenhall, who had 24 previous convictions involving 48 separate offences, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, witness intimidation, taking a vehicle without consent, driving while disqualified and other motoring matters.
He was jailed by Judge James Burbidge who ordered £400 be awarded to Mr Ghahremani.
