Prolific danger driver car-jacked 67-year-old man before thrashing car at 90mph in Telford
Offender jailed after being caught driving dangerously for a sixth time
A prolific dangerous driver who carjacked a 67-year-old man, punched him and thrashed his car around Telford at 90mph has been jailed.
William Davies, aged 32, was caged for three-and-a-half years at Shrewsbury Crown Court over his “horrible behaviour”.
The court was told how Davies flagged down a man in a Ford Mondeo Vignale in Heath Hill, Dawley at around 4.30am on February 15 this year. The victim was on his way to work.
Davies said he needed a lift to Halesfield, so the victim offered him one.
However, during the journey, Davies became angry and threatened to steal the vehicle.
Davies punched the victim in the face, who then stopped the car and tried to escape.
The victim fell onto the floor and Davies came round to the other side of the car and started punching the victim while he was on the ground.
Davies then stole the car, and the victim walked for half an hour to get home before calling the police.
Officers later found the Mondeo dumped nearby in Chapel Street.
The dashcam footage showed Davies assaulting the victim in the car, and driving dangerously after he stole it.
It showed Davies, who was disqualified from driving at the time, speeding at 90mph, hitting kerbs and driving on the wrong side of the road.
“He was arrested later that night and answered ‘no comment to questions,” said Simon Parry, prosecuting.
Davies, of Overdale, Telford, pleaded guilty to robbery, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
He has 13 previous convictions for 22 offences including five offences of dangerous driving and four of driving while disqualified.
Robert Edwards, mitigating, said Davies has shown “genuine remorse and a realisation of the harm he has caused the victim”.
He also said that Davies has been diagnosed with ADHD, and that his partner - the mother of his children - gave him his “marching orders” after these latest offences.
Judge Peter Barrie told Davies: “You behaved really horribly on February 15.
“You flagged him down and he offered you a lift. Your response to that was to punch him. You caused him significant injuries. He’s a 67-year-old man.
“You drove off in his car in a highly dangerous way.”He jailed Davies and banned him from driving for four years and nine months.
Davies must also do an extended driving test when his ban concludes if he wants to get his licence back.