Father of violent car-jacker threatened elderly mother with 'gallons of petrol'

Car-jacker Andrew Jones, 34, left pensioner Reginald Stocking wheelchair-bound after the brutal robbery on May 10 last year.

Jones, from West Bromwich, was jailed for 14 years at Birmingham Crown Court in December after being convicted of robbery, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, burglary and witness intimidation.

But just days after the carjacking, captured on CCTV, the thug's dad John Jones threatened mum Patricia, 73, over a statement she gave to police.

In a text to his elderly mum, John Jones, 54, said, following news reports of his son's crime; "Have you seen the comments on Facebook?

"If anything happens to Andrew I'll get gallons of petrol and you'll be the first to know, do you get me?"

Appearing at the same court, John Jones, of Manley Close, West Bromwich, admitted a single count of witness intimidation.

But he was spared an immediate prison sentence after the court heard he was suffering mental health issues, in part caused by his time in the army.

A psychological report diagnosed Jones senior of suffering from schizophrenia and post traumatic stress disorder stemming from his service in Iraq.

Handing him an eight month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Judge Nicholas Cole said; "Normally this type of offending, contacting witnesses encouraging them not to contact the authorities, results in a sentence of imprisonment of years, not months.

"It strikes to the very heart of the justice system.

"However in your case there are matters I need to take into account.

"It was not a prolonged activity, it was a single text sent at a time when you were, undoubtedly, under great stress"

The judge also said he had to consider psychological reports which found Jones senior was a damaged man who would fall victim to the manipulation of others in prison.

As well as the suspended sentence, John Jones was ordered to carry out a 40-day rehabilitation requirement and pay £200 costs at a rate of £20 per month.

Simon Rippon, defending John Jones, said; "Many of his problem stems from his time on active service in Iraq defending his country."

Drug addict Andrew Jones, also of Manley Close, had lay in wait for Reginald Stocking at a gated drive in Chapel Street on May 10 last year.

When Mr Stocking opened the gate, Jones jumped into his car.

In an attempt to stop the robbery, Mr Stocking was hit and dragged by his own vehicle leaving the pensioner with extensive injuries.

After leaving the OAP for dead Andrew Jones later used the stolen vehicle as a getaway car in a burglary in Dudley Port during the trial.

He denied all of the charges against him but was convicted by a jury following trial and jailed for 14 years.