Seven years jail after thief dragged man down road in trailer drama
A thief who stole a trailer filled with apples from a fruit merchant before dragging him several hundred feet along a road, leaving him with crippling leg injuries, has been jailed for seven years.
Chase Edwards sped away in the 4x4 vehicle despite owner Stuart Timmins clinging on.
He eventually let go, fearing it was too dangerous to hold on any longer, but as he fell he bounced off an oncoming car before hitting the ground.
Mr Timmins, a 48-year-old father of one, suffered a shattered leg, cuts and bruises and is still unable to walk more than three months after the incident.
At Wolverhampton Crown Court, 30-year-old Edwards, of Lower Gornal, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to theft, robbery and two driving matters in relation to the incident in Bird Street, in Lower Gornal on March 25.
Today Mr Timmins hit out at the sentence, saying it wasn't long enough.
Mr Timmins, who has had two major operations and 17 pins and plates put in his leg, said: "The sentence stinks.
"This man will be out in just over two years, how can you say the judicial system is a deterrent to criminals?
"Here is someone who is laughing at the system – he is someone who has taken so much away from me.
"I cannot currently walk, may not be able to walk again, but he will be walking out free in two years time."
He added: "I am 48-years-old, when he drove off in the car he could have stopped and easily run away from me, but he was desperate to take my car and had no care in the world for me."
Mr Timmins had been in his company's yard when Edwards picked up the car keys in an office and got in the vehicle.
As Edwards, from Lower Gornal, pulled out and onto Bird Street, Mr Timmins chased the vehicle and stepped onto the site step as it sped out of the yard.
He then gripped the roof rail of the red and silver vehicle, screaming at Edwards to stop while also trying to smash the driver's side window to grab the keys.
He was dragged along the road but as the pick-up accelerated away he realised it was too dangerous to cling on any longer and let go. He said: "I let go and everything seemed to happen in slow motion, although it was only seconds.
"I bounced off a car coming in the opposite direction, which had stopped on seeing what was happening and the trailer went over my leg.
Although the trailer of apples was found in the days following the theft, the Mitsubishi vehicle was never recovered.
Mr Timmins suffered a complex fracture of the tibia and fibula in his left leg.
He is currently only able to hold 25 per cent of his weight while standing. Today, he begins physiotherapy as he continues his long road to recovery.
He said: "The doctors haven't given me a timeline, because they simply don't know. I'm remaining positive and I aim to be able to walk again and run my business."
Edwards, who was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court, pleaded guilty to theft, robbery and two driving matters in relation to the incident in Bird Street, in Lower Gornal.
Sgt Clive Steedman, from Dudley Police's Offender Management Team, said: "We hope that this sentence gives some closure to Mr Timmins as he continues to recover from his ordeal."
Despite Mr Timmins' injuries, his family business, which was established in 1919, has continued thanks to the help of family and friends.
The business collects fruit from farmers' markets and then delivers them to customers such as Dudley Zoo and care homes.
Sgt Steedman added: "We are pleased that the court recognised the severity of the crime and as a team, we will be working with the offender upon his release, along with support agencies, to help prevent re-offending."
