MINI Motoring

icBirmingham - Youths caged for trapping and robbing drivers:

Aug 19 2005



Three members of a Birmingham gang who trapped and then carried out armed attacks on two terrified women drivers have been sent to custody by a judge.

At Birmingham Crown Court yesterday Justin Hadley (13) of Harcourt Road, Erdington, who was previously convicted of two charges of robbery, was sentenced to four years detention.

Barry Wright ( 16) of Dovedale Road, Erdington, was also given a four-year sentence after admitting aggravated vehicle taking and two robberies and was banned from driving for two years.

Sean Kinsella (17) of Bexley Road, Erdington, who pleaded guilty to one robbery, was sentenced to three years detention.

James Dunstan, prosecuting, said Rachel Capper was driving a BMW Mini Cooper in the Streetly area at about 11pm when she was overtaken by another vehicle which then stopped in front of her.

A youth then came towards her brandishing a large kitchen knife and she reversed for about 80 yards before heading back the way she had come.

After slowing down at traffic lights she was overtaken by the vehicle which then collided with her car forcing it to partly mount the kerb while another vehicle blocked her from behind.

A youth then got into the passenger side of the Mini Cooper waving the knife about 12 inches away from her face and forcing her to get out before her vehicle was driven off and crashed. Mr Dunstan said 40 minutes later Emma Burrows, a police officer, was driving a Mini Cooper near Sutton Coldfield when she was boxed in by two vehicles.

She managed to get away by driving on to the pavement but was trapped again and after being threatened by a youth brandishing a metal bar gave up her car keys and her vehicle was also driven away.

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