A CALLOUS delivery driver who dragged an 80-year-old pensioner along the road after stealing his wife’s handbag has been jailed for two years.
Elderly Frank Stewart was climbing into Anthony Davies’ Transit van to try and retrieve the bag when the thief sped off and the pensioner fell into the road after 20 metres, knocking him unconscious.
His wife, Maria Stewart, aged 60, was knocked to the pavement as the van set off and suffered a suspected fractured elbow.
At Bolton Crown Court the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh told Davies: “The offences for which you fall to be sentenced were opportunistic but committed against vulnerable victims.
“The consequence of the manner in which you drove in an attempt to escape with the stolen handbag could have been catastrophic and it is only by good fortune that the physical injuries were not more severe.”
He added that the psychological impact on the victims has been enduring.
The court previously heard that Mr Stewart is now afraid to go out on his own and has to use a mobility scooter and walking stick.
Davies, who appeared in court via a video link from prison, showed no emotion as he was sentenced. He had pleaded not guilty, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity, for three years before finally admitting theft, dangerous driving and causing actual bodily harm, shortly before his trial.
Judge Walsh commented that the Crown Prosecution Service could possibly have charged him with the more serious offence of robbery.
In addition to the two years in prison, 38-year-old Davies, of Cravenwood Rise, Westhoughton, was banned from driving for four years, after which he will have to take an extended retest.
READ MORE: Delivery driver dragged pensioner along road
The court had previously heard how Davies had grabbed Mrs Stewart’s handbag from behind as she and her husband Frank made their way home along Higher Market Street, Farnworth, at 1am on March 18, 2019. They had been attending a party.
After Davies jumped into his parked Transit van with the handbag, the couple went after the thief and Mr Stewart opened the van’s passenger door. He was climbing into the vehicle and demanding the return of the bag as the driver sped off.
“He eventually fell out of the passenger door of the van – he landed on the pavement and struck his head on the ground,” said Andrew MacKintosh, prosecuting.
The pensioner lost consciousness for a short time and suffered cuts to his head and hand.
A passing taxi driver stopped and called police and a few minutes later Davies returned to the scene and brazenly handed Mrs Stewart her handbag.
“He told Mrs Stewart that he had seen the bag being thrown out of the window of a van near Home Bargains,” said Mr MacKintosh. A pouch of tobacco, her cigarette case and glasses were missing.
Shocking CCTV footage of the incident was shown in court.
On May 22, 2019 Davies, of Cravenwood Rise, Westhoughton, was arrested and police found clothing he had been wearing that night as well as a holdall containing £20,000 worth of heroin.
He admitted drug dealing and in July 2019 was jailed for 32 months but he denied injuring the pensioners, claiming he had lent the van to someone he met in the Church Hotel at Farnworth, where he had been drinking.
In a victim statement read out in court Mr Stewart said: “I still struggle with sleep at night – I often see Maria, my wife, helpless on the floor.”
Mrs Stewart added: “I can’t explain the panic I felt seeing Frank just lying there unconscious and not moving. I thought he was dead. I remember screaming out as I sat on the pavement. That image of Frank will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
The court heard that Davies has previous convictions for drug dealing, assault and vehicle theft.
Kevin Liston, defending, said Davies’ behaviour has changed since he was released from his last sentence in May 2020 and he feels shame, embarrassment and remorse for what he did to the Stewarts.
Speaking after the sentencing Mrs Stewart’s daughter, Sarah Howe, said: “We are glad that justice has been done.
“He could have been sentenced to longer but at least he is serving something. That is an acknowledgement for my mum and Frank.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article