Man, 34, charged over West Bromwich carjacking
Police have charged a man over the brutal carjacking of West Bromwich pensioner Reginald Stocking on his driveway.
Mr Stocking, 78, was attacked as he opened the gate to his home in Chapel Street last Sunday.
Last night West Midlands Police charged 34-year-old Andrew Jones, of Dingle Street, Sandwell, with wounding, robbery and burglary – the latter relating to a break-in at an address in Grosvenor Road, Tipton, shortly after the 9.20pm carjacking.
Unemployed Jones has been remanded in police custody and is set to appear before Warley magistrates tomorrow morning.
Stacey Johnson, 26, of Maria Street,West Bromwich, has also been charged with handling stolen goods. Police said it was alleged she stored a TV taken during the burglary at her flat.
Mr Stocking was left lying in the street with bleeding in his brain, a broken nose, two smashed eye sockets, and two chips in his skull, after he tried to stop a thief taking his blue Peugeot 207 and was thrown against a wall in the process. He remains seriously ill in hospital.
The grandfather-of-three, a retired engineer, was returning to his home after picking his wife Sylvia up from bingo when the incident happened.
Detective Sergeant David Hughes said the investigation team is still keen to hear from any witnesses.
He added: "We recovered Mr Stocking's blue Peugeot 207 from Walter Street in West Bromwich. Today officers will be at that location with a similar vehicle in the hope it may jog people's memories and secure information about who dumped the car.
"And tonight officers will also be handing out flyers in Chapel Street and talking to motorists and passers-by. Hopefully we'll speak to someone who witnessed the robbery or was in the area at the time and can provide useful information."
Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Sergeant Hughes at West Bromwich police station on the 101 number.
