Shrewsbury BMW thieves trapped by mobile app
Three people in a stolen car travelling through Shropshire were tracked down – thanks to a mobile phone tracker.
Police used the technology to trace the BMW stolen in Shropshire last year, a court heard.
The car was taken from Shrewsbury's Quarry, where the victim had been helping to set up a wedding show.
Shrewsbury Crown Court was told how the victim was punched as his rucksack was stolen.
The bag contained keys to a BMW that he had borrowed from a friend and the three thieves drove the car off at speed, forcing people in the park to dive for cover.
The court heard that, later on the morning of the theft in October, there was a report of a crash involving the BMW and a Mazda.
Prosecuting, Mr Marc Davies said: "Using a particular mobile phone app, Mr Adams and the police were able to locate the phone and car using that app and number plate recognition. They found the BMW and it was pursued by traffic police into the car park of a fitness club nearby."
Jake Fox, Dwight Jeffrey-Shaw and Stacey Dykes were all arrested. The court heard Dykes was found by police to have the victim's wallet on her.
The defendants, all from Shrewsbury, admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking ahead of the Shrewsbury Crown Court hearing.
Fox, 23, of Derfald Street, Castlefields, also admitted robbery and a separate assault that saw his victim need 10 stitches. He was jailed for one year for the assault, two years for the robbery to be served consecutively and a further year for the aggravated vehicle taking which is to be served concurrently.
Dwight Jeffrey-Shaw, 28, of Bainbridge Crescent in the town, also admitted an unrelated charge of theft. He was jailed for 26 weeks suspended for two years and ordered to pay £150 costs.
Dykes, of Moreton Crescent in Belle Vue, also pleaded guilty to theft of the bag. She was jailed for 26 weeks suspended for two years and ordered to pay £150 costs.
