Raiders jailed for high-speed chase

Two raiders who stole thousands of pounds worth of cash and cigarettes before crashing their stolen getaway car at the end of a 140mph police chase through the Midlands were jailed today.

Career criminals Martin Steadman and Craig Thomas, from Wolverhampton, were part of a gang of four in the Mitsubishi Evolution when it flew into the air and landed on its roof in Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury.

Today a court heard that Steadman, regarded as one of the most prolific car key burglars in the Black Country, and Thomas, both of Luce Road in Low Hill, took part in 2am ram-raids on a branch of Sainsbury's in Worcester before the chase, which spanned around 40 miles.

Gang members used a fire extinguisher to smash their way into a cigarette cabinet but fled when an alarm system flooded the shop with smoke. An hour later they drove a Mitsubishi Evolution, which had been stolen from Eccleshall the day before, to raid a branch of Tesco in Evesham. They smashed their way in using a crowbar and stole cigarettes, cash and stamps worth more than £7,100 before fleeing.

Mr Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, told today how police spotted the car 20 minutes later and it was monitored by CCTV operators travelling along the A449 towards Kidderminster. He said driver Michael Stubbs, who was not in court and is on the run, reversed into a police car between Kidderminster and Worcester before driving over a central reservation and speeding off again at up to 120mph.

Police, who were themselves travelling at 140mph, continued their pursuit towards Junction 6 of the M5 north of Worcester. Around 45 minutes later the car was seen leaving the M5 at Junction 2 at Oldbury.

Mr Butterworth said: "A further pursuit began but within a very short distance the Mitsubishi went out of control at traffic lights and an apalling accident occurred. The Mitsubishi struck a lamp post, spun in the air and slid along the road on its roof."

The court heard that passenger Scott Parker was left in a coma and is now permanently brain-damaged. Steadman injured his shoulder while Stubbs suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung. Thomas broke both his legs and lost his left ear.

Steadman has numerous previous convictions for robbery, burglary and driving stolen cars. Thomas has convictions for numerous burglaries and disqualified driving.They were jailed for 10 months for the burglaries and 12 months for aggravated vehicle taking after admitting all charges. Both sentences will run concurrently. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Stubbs, aged 21, of Higham Way, Fallings Park, who failed to attend an earlier hearing to face the same charges.