Wolverhampton man who crashed stolen Range Rover while driving on wrong side of dual carriageway and injured two women jailed

Layton Clenton, of Tennyson Road, Wolverhampton, was on the wrong side of the A449 Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, when he hit the women's Ford Fiesta on September 30. 

The 19-year-old had stolen the Range Rover from the car park at IKEA in Wednesbury earlier in the evening and then failed to stop for police when he was spotted on the outskirts of Wolverhampton.

He was seen driving at over 70mph on 40mph roads, and went through at least one red light as he tried to evade officers.

Clenton, who was alone in the vehicle, travelled the wrong way round a roundabout, before going up the wrong side of the Stafford Road dual carriageway and colliding with the women just after 8.35pm.

Clenton fled the scene but within days he was identified, traced and arrested on Friday, 4 October.

He had left behind a baseball cap and this was forensically examined with the results showing DNA on it was a match to him. Forensic tests on the airbags in the stolen Range Rover which went off in the impact of the collision, also came back with a positive match for Clenton's DNA.

One of the women, a student carer, had been on duty with a colleague when they were struck by Clenton - leaving her with serious injuries, including a fractured spine, which left her in a coma for several days, and she is still continuing with her recovery. 

In her victim impact statement, the young carer told the court: "I had just embarked on my university journey feeling full of promise for the future ahead of me working towards becoming a qualified nurse.

"I am extremely passionate about this and loved my job providing care in the community. On that day I had felt excited about uni and my future. Little did I know how much my life was about to change. 

"Six months on and I’m still unable to lead the same quality of life I had prior to the collision."

The second woman was discharged from hospital shortly afterwards.

When Clenton appeared at court in February he pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and failing to stop for police.  He further admitted driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, failing to stop after an accident and being involved in and failing to report an accident.

Clentonwas today sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court to four years in prison.

Det Insp Richard Marsh from Force CID, said: "This incident highlights the real risks and consequences associated with vehicle crime, which some people may view as a low level or a victimless crime. 

"But the theft of motor vehicles can lead to serious harm for those involved in the crime, for other motorists and pedestrians, and to police.  Our investigation was swift and saw Clenton arrested within days. 

"It also resulted in a guilty plea which has meant the victims have at least been spared the ordeal of reliving their traumatic experience in court.

"Our thoughts go out to both them and their families, and I sincerely hope today’s sentencing brings some closure to all those affected by these events."