Brave 88-year-old stood in front of his car in bid to foil thief Ian Gibbons - but he drove over him

Police have praised a courageous pensioner who was seriously injured trying to stop a thief from stealing his Ford Fiesta.

The 88-year-old man had been leaving Colmans Off-Licence on Halifax Road, Rochdale, when he noticed Gibbons in the driver’s seat of his car.

The elderly man stood in front of the bonnet of his vehicle as it was driven towards him and he was briefly knocked to the ground.

He got to his feet again and continued to stand in front of his vehicle in an attempt to prevent Gibbons from taking the car.

Gibbons then reversed and drove the car at speed towards the victim, striking him a second time before then driving the car fully over the victim’s legs.

The court heard how Gibbons left the 88-year-old man lying in the road as he drove off with the vehicle before later abandoning it on Belfield Old Lane in May.

Gibbons, 37, of Henderson Street, Rochdale, was this week sentenced to 14 years in jail at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, after pleading guilty to Section 18 assault, robbery, and dangerous driving.

‘I am happy he can’t hurt anyone else’

The elderly man said today: “I recall feeling totally disorientated and in excruciating pain, with a number of people around me.

“I am utterly disappointed with the actions of the male who could clearly see that I am elderly and acted with menace to steal my vehicle and drove the vehicle at, and over, me causing grievous bodily harm.

“I would like to thank the police for their support throughout this investigation and I feel relieved that Gibbons will now be behind bars and cannot hurt anyone else.”

Detective Constable Andrew Whitehill, of GMP Rochdale’s Criminal Investigation Division, said: “Gibbons’ callous and cowardly actions left an elderly man with serious and life-changing injuries.

“The victim showed incredible bravery and strength in not only fighting back against Gibbons’ actions but also to be able to survive this kind of horrific attack.

“Thankfully today Gibbons has been put behind bars and I hope today’s sentence provides a small sense of justice to the victim.”

• Greater Manchester Victims’ Services provide emotional and practical support to anyone affected by crime and are a confidential service. The service can be contacted by visiting the website on www.gmvictims.org.uk or calling 0161 200 1950.