Ashton-under-Lyne car thief jailed for kidnap of blind passenger

A man who stole a car while a vulnerable 89-year-old passenger was inside it has been jailed.

The driver left the engine on so it was warm for her mother, who is blind and has dementia, in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, in January.

David Stephenson, of no fixed address, drove away with the woman still in the passenger seat but was captured after a police chase.

The 51-year-old was jailed for eight years and six months.

Stephenson admitted kidnap, theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving and driving without a licence at Manchester Crown Court.

Greater Manchester Police said it received a panicked call from the car driver on 6 January, who said: "My car has gone with my mum… they've taken my mum."

Due to the risk posed to the passenger, police went in pursuit of the car and it was brought to a safe stop.

Stephenson was arrested, while the victim was reunited with her daughter.

Ch Insp Matt Jackson said: "This must have been really terrifying for the woman who was in the passenger seat when the car got stolen.

"She is blind and has dementia, she wouldn't have known what was going on.

"I can't even begin to imagine what was going through her mind."

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