Bishop-carjacking man jailed for Birmingham attack Published duration 4 December 2015

image copyright Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints image caption David Charmbury was put into an induced coma for three weeks after the attack

A man who carjacked a Mormon bishop with his own car in a "brutal" attack has been jailed for six years.

David Charmbury was dragged underneath the car and left with broken legs and ribs and a punctured lung.

At the city's Crown court, Harley Davidson Hayes admitted robbery outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Birmingham.

Hayes already had 121 convictions and there was no doubt in the judge's mind that he was a "career criminal".

Judge Richard Bond told him his selfishness had caused mental suffering to the victim and his family.

'Keys in ignition'

Prosecuting, Patrick Sullivan said Mr Charmbury, 45, had parked to open a locked vehicle gate on 16 August, at the church in Clopton Crescent, when he heard footsteps behind him.

Hayes, 36, of Bluebell Drive, Chelmsley Wood, then got behind the wheel of the Mazda CX5 as the car had been left idling with the keys in the ignition.

image copyright Google image caption David Charmbury was opening the church on a Sunday morning when Hayes took his car

Mr Charmbury said the bishop's memory had become "brittle" because of what had happened, but he remembered Hayes saying he was going to take the car.

Quoting from an accident report, Mr Sullivan said the car had been reversed, dragging Mr Charmbury along as he was caught by the open door.

The prosecuting barrister said: "It's brutal recklessness because [Hayes] was fully aware... and then he drove off."

Mr Charmbury ended up partly underneath the car and suffered traumatic injuries before Hayes drove off.

A passerby called an ambulance and the victim was in an induced coma for three weeks. He has since required surgery to a thigh wound and has not returned to work.

In mitigation, Paul Fleming said his client expressed remorse and was "aware of the extent of the injuries suffered by the victim".

Hayes, who will serve half his sentence out on licence, will also be banned from driving for three years after he is released.

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