A disabled man helplessly listened as a thief broke into his home and drove away in his Ford Focus, leaving him housebound because his mobility scooter and walking aids were in the car.
Theft and Police Chase
David Jones was woken by the sound of his front door creaking at his home in Pontypool in the early hours of October last year. He realised his car had vanished. CCTV footage showed Jack Heard, 28, entering the property at around 2am, picking up the car keys, and driving off.
Gwent Police officers set off after Heard, who reached speeds of up to 90mph in 30mph streets during a lengthy pursuit. Heard ignored blue lights and nearly crashed into another vehicle. He drove over speed bumps at 50mph before losing control and crashing into bushes. He then fled on foot, leaving behind a passenger.
Second Incident
On May 12, Heard was recognised by officers while parked next to a caravan in Cwmbran, driving a white Citroen van. He jumped into the driver's seat and drove off into a playing field. He then drove towards Newport at speed in convoy with a black BMW, forcing another car to swerve. He reached over 50mph in a 20mph zone, overtook on the wrong side, mounted a curb, and narrowly missed another car. The van hit a parked blue Ford Transit van. Heard escaped and jumped over garages. Officers found a woman in the front passenger seat and a male in the back.
Court Sentencing
At Cardiff Crown Court, prosecutor Abdallah Barakat said Mr Jones suffers with disabilities, has a blue badge, and cannot walk far, making his car particularly important. His walking aids and mobility scooter were in the car, leaving him housebound and vulnerable.
Representing Heard, Dan Jones said his client expressed remorse, had struggled with alcohol and drugs but stayed clean in custody. He said Heard started a roofing business that employed four people, and he plans to move into management and later property development. Heard was waiting for tests for ADHD and PTSD and had a difficult childhood in the care system.
Heard has 21 previous convictions for 38 offences, including aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, and dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, and dangerous driving.
Judge Carl Harrison sentenced Heard to two years imprisonment. He will serve up to half in custody and the remainder on licence. He was disqualified from driving for four years and five months and ordered to pay a £220 victim surcharge within six months of release.
