JAILED: 'Walking crime wave' who dragged pregnant woman from Audi in masked car-jacking

The woman, who was eight months pregnant, suffered cuts and bruises when Japheth Wellington stole her Audi S3 in a crime spree which lasted six months.

The car - which was stolen from Walsall Wood - was spotted by police five days later on the M6 near Great Barr, sparking a pursuit which saw Wellington head off onto Queslett Road, before speeding off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway.

The vehicle was found dumped in a pub car park in Walsall Road, Perry Barr, and officers managed to identify Wellington as the driver through CCTV and DNA from the vehicle.

Wellington, of no fixed address, was tracked down within 48 hours and linked to a series of crimes.

As well as the car-jacking which took place on August 21 last year, the 28-year-old's crime spree included being part of a group which threatened a man with a broken bottle in his own home in Bracken Croft, Chelmsley Wood; swiping car keys for a Seat Leon parked outside on April 2 last year.

Wellington admitted taking £260 cash and a DVD player during a burglary at a flat in Overbury Road, Northfield, on June 25. While inside the property he poured shampoo and conditioner over the dog.

Also amongst his crimes were stealing an Audi A1 from Haslucks Croft, Shirley, and a £4,000 Yamaha R6 sports bike while taking it for a test-ride after meeting the owner at the Fort Retail Park.

In total, he admitted three burglaries, two thefts of motor vehicles, a robbery, dangerous driving, attempted theft and making off without payment from a petrol station.

He was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Birmingham Crown Court last Wednesday.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Marriott, from Force CID, who lead the investigation, said: "Wellington is a dangerous criminal who was responsible for a series of nasty crimes.

"He did not seem to care who he hurt; leaving a woman who was eight months pregnant shaken and with injuries.

"He was like a walking crime wave and following a thorough investigation we were able to link him to a series of offences.

"He showed no remorse whatsoever and even when he was sentenced he stuck his fingers up to police officers at court."