Man jailed after admitting robberies of elderly victims in Birmingham

A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison, after admitting multiple robberies and burglaries where he targeted elderly and vulnerable victims.

Paul Young, of no fixed address, dragged a 78-year-old woman to the ground in Bromford last April, before stealing her purse.

After stealing a car and driving off from police in Castle Vale on another occasion, he crashed it at speed into another vehicle - and a driver in his 70s suffered fractures.

Young was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months when he appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday 26 March.

He had pleaded guilty to charges including two robberies, five burglaries, one attempted burglary, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one charge of the theft of a motor vehicle.

Young also carried out five burglaries and an attempted burglary in the Solihull area where he stole property including jewellery, clothing and headphones.

PC Bradley Smith, from the neighbourhood crime team, based at Stechford, said: “Young was an opportunistic burglar and robber.

"He targeted vulnerable people carrying out robberies which must have been truly terrifying for his victims.

“He had no regard for the safety of the public and left one man with serious injuries as the car he had stolen was driven recklessly and at speed through a red light.

"We are pleased with the sentence Young has received - he will spend many years behind bars where he can reflect on his actions.”