A burglar has been jailed after running over a 68-year-old woman who tried to stop him stealing her car.

Gary Foulkes, aged 41 of Ashness Place, Bolton, entered a house on Church Street, Horwich through an unlocked door.

He was interrupted by the homeowner, Elspeth Watson, and made off with her handbag.

After searching the handbag and finding keys to a Volkswagen T-Roc, he discarded the bag nearby and returned to the house.

Ms Watson, a retired GP receptionist and former aerobics instructor, saw him get into her car and tried to stop him driving away by closing the gate and standing in the driveway whilst calling for help.

A neighbour heard the engine revving and then saw the car accelerate towards her before driving over her and through her gate.

Horwich resident left with horrific injuries after being hit by her own car in robbery

She received serious injuries including multiple facial bone fractures, a head injury with a bleed on her brain, and multiple pelvic bone fractures which required surgery.

When he was arrested, police officers found Mr Foulkes in possession of a knife.

Foulkes pleaded guilty to burglary, theft of the car, inflicting grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.

He was jailed for seven years and 11 months.

In her statement the Ms Watson said she cannot believe the injuries she received through no fault of her own. She fears she may not be able to do all the things she enjoys and feels frightened in her own home.

The incident has also had a huge impact on her partner, 61-year-old retired dentist John Holton, who experienced the horror of finding her injured on the road and has had to care for her.

Ben Collinson for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Gary Foulkes was prepared to go to any lengths to steal a car, including deliberately driving over someone.

“He caused the homeowner serious life changing injuries and could easily have killed her with his reckless actions.

“I hope following the sentence, she will no longer feel afraid in her own home and can move on knowing that justice has been served.”

 

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18