JAILED: Thug high on drugs and drink knocked Wednesfield school caretaker to ground and stole car
A caretaker was knocked to the ground and had his car stolen while opening the school where he worked, a court heard.
Jonathon Chestnutt was high on a cocktail of drink and drugs when he struck at Corpus Christi Academy in Ashmore Avenue, Ashmore Park at 5.45am on April 14, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
The 24-year-old attacked Stephen Holden who had unlocked the entrance to the premises just minutes earlier, throwing him to the ground and snatching the ignition key to the victim's blue Hyundai Getz which was then taken and torched.
Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting said: "The caretaker had not seen anybody about and was taking stuff to the bins when he was grabbed round the throat near to his car.
"He was pulled down, kicked to the back of the legs and had his car keys ripped from his hand. He got back to his feet just in time to see the Hyundai Getz being driven off at speed."
The car, which had a drill together with other equipment and Mr Holden's credit cards inside, was found burnt out nearby soon afterwards. Chestnutt was arrested at the scene because he matched the description of the car thief given to police by the victim and tested positive for drink and drive.
Mr Antony Schiller, defending, confessed: "He does not know why he committed these offences and is thoroughly ashamed of himself. He had lost his job, was not in receipt of benefits and found it difficult being out of work.
"He had taken cocaine and been drinking alcohol so his recollection of what happened is vague but it is sufficient for him to accept full responsibility for what he knows was a particularly unpleasant offence.
"This was an opportunist crime. He just happened to be passing and had not deliberately targeted the victim. The incident must have lasted no more than a couple of minutes and fortunately there was no lasting injury although force was used."
Chestnutt from Lord Street, Pennfields pleaded guilty to robbery arson and drink driving. He was jailed for three years and banned from driving for three years by Recorder Abigail Nixon who told him: "This was a mindless and purposeless attack.
"When drunk and drugged up you thought you would have a cheap thrill by driving off with, and then burning out, this man's car. You drove when drunk with no thought for other road users."
