Wrexham man 'attacked delivery driver before taking his car'

Connor Davies, of Ffordd Offa in Rhos, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday morning for sentence.

The 30-year-old had previously admitted two counts of taking a vehicle without consent, making off without payment, robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and dangerous driving.

Jade Tufail, prosecuting, told the court that in the early hours of November 28 last year a takeaway delivery driver was dropping food off in the Ponciau area.

When he pulled over to make the delivery he left his engine running as he only expected to be out of the vehicle for a short time.

But he then saw Davies standing by his car, before hearing the door closing and the engine revving.

The car was driven off down the road - and was found later in the Queensway area.

Davies was arrested and released for that offence, but on December 6 he did it again.

A man was making a takeaway delivery in Gardden Road, Rhos.

Gardden Road. Image: Google

Like the previous victim, he left his engine running and while making the drop-off, turned to see the defendant sat in the driver's seat.

The man managed to open the passenger door, but Davies drove off.

During the early hours of December 7, he drove the vehicle onto the forecourt of Ruabon Service Station and put £40 of fuel in it.

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But he left without paying and was arrested later that day.

While on bail for the three offences, he went on to target yet another food delivery driver.

Imam Dag, a Wrexham takeaway shop owner, was making a delivery to an address in Tan y Coed in his Vauxhall Astra on December 16.

At the scene the defendant approached and barged into him, causing him to drop his car keys - which Davies took.

A struggle ensued between the two in which punches were thrown by both men.

Davies told the victim: "I've got a knife," before pulling something metallic from his pocket and striking Mr Dag with it three times to the head and face.

The victim realised he was bleeding from above his left eye when the defendant pushed him back and drove away in the car.

Tan y Coed. Image: Google

North Wales Police received a call about the incident and a chase ensued.

During it, Davies drove in a dangerous manner - taking the wrong side of a 30 mile per hour road at double the speed limit for a prolonged period of time.

He also went round blind and "hairpin" bends on the wrong side of the road and was close to losing control.

Officers had to stop him with a stinger device.

Duncan Bould, defending, said: "He doesn't raise any nitpicking points in the allegations against him and is able to identify why it is that he has offended not only in the past, but currently.

"He has been in custody long enough to be sober and is no longer under the influence.

"In those circumstances he becomes a different character and is medicated whilst in prison to treat his psychiatric issues.

"He has admitted everything and is looking to wipe the slate clean.

"He genuinely apologises for what he has done and for the trauma to those he has wronged."

Connor Davies. Image: North Wales Police

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Judge Rhys Rowlands told the defendant: "You have a pretty bad record of offending: robbery and theft in 2008, assault in 2012, burglary of dwelling in 2015, arson in 2016.

"I am driven to the view that at present you pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to others by the commission of further specified offences.

"This can only be addressed by an extended sentence."

The Judge handed down an extended sentence of seven years for the robbery - five of which are of a custodial element, with the remaining two being an extended period on licence.

Unlike a determinate sentence (in which a defendant can serve half in custody, half on licence), he must serve at least two thirds of the custodial element before being considered for release on licence - and release after that point isn't guaranteed if the parole board have any concerns about his behaviour.

He can also be recalled at any time during the two years extended licence period if there are concerns about him.

For the dangerous driving, a concurrent sentence of 12 months was handed down, with a five year driving ban.

No separate penalty was imposed for the other offences.

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