Man jailed following robbery
A man has been jailed for more than three years after stealing a car in Stoke-on-Trent.
Last updated 11th Feb 2026
James Douglas Whitehouse, 29, of no fixed address, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Tuesday 10 February after pleading guilty to robbery.
The court heard that on 10 February last year, Whitehouse approached a man sitting in a parked car on Old Town Road, Hanley.
Whitehouse reached through a gap in the driver’s window and demanded the victim hand over his mobile phone. When the victim got out of the vehicle, Whitehouse kicked him in the face, causing minor injuries, before getting into the car and driving away.
The stolen car was found abandoned in the Meir area the following day (11 February 2025). After an investigation, Whitehouse was identified and arrested.
When interviewed in custody, Whitehouse denied any knowledge of the robbery. However, officers continued to gather forensic evidence, which ultimately led to him admitting the offence in court.
Detective Constable Craig Bailey-Rigby, of CID North, said:
“Whitehouse showed no regard for the victim or his car, which he stole in an opportunistic attack.
“Whitehouse was arrested only two days after the robbery after we worked hard to gather forensic evidence against him.
“We remain committed to protecting victims of robbery in Stoke-on-Trent and across wider Staffordshire.”