Former Telford Mormon minister tells of carjacking ordeal
A mormon bishop who was knocked down by a brutal carjacker outside a chapel has spoken for the first time since his ordeal.
David Charmbury, a father of four and former Telford clergyman, was left fighting for his life following the incident in August.
He has now thanked members of his congregation for their support.
The bishop also said he felt "relief" following the sentence of carjacker Harley Davidson Heyes, who has been jailed for nearly seven years. The 45-year-old said that he struggled to comprehend how something like that could have happened to a "faith leader opening up a church at the time".
He said: "As you will appreciate, this has been a difficult and painful time for my family and myself and we are relieved that the judicial process has reached a conclusion. This will allow me to focus on completing my physical recovery such that we can all move on with our normal lives. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the West Midlands Police and all medical staff that have helped us through this difficult time plus all of those that have forwarded their messages of support both publicly and privately."
Heyes struck as Mr Charmbury opened up the chapel in Clopton Crescent, Chelmsley Wood, on August 16. Heyes, 36, of Bluebell Drive, drove off in the Mormon bishop's £21,000 Mazda CX5. and rifled through it before calling a taxi.
He pleaded guilty to robbery and He was jailed for six years and 10 months in Birmingham Crown Court.
Birmingham Crown Court heard how 36-year-old Hayes left Mr Charmbury lying in the road on August 16 with 12 fractures to his ribs and legs and a punctured lung.
Judge Richard Bond was told that as the thief reversed away in the stolen car the bishop was "dragged" under the wheels and run over.
The gravely injured bishop was tended to by a passer-by, who called an ambulance. He was placed in an induced coma for three weeks and was treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Mr Charmbury, a surveyor, was influential in Telford's Southwater project and is a bishop in the Mormon church. He was previously a minister at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Wellington.
Hayes will also serve a three-year driving ban on his release.
