Couple Sentenced to 33 Years for Brutal Wolverhampton Hit-and-Run and Robbery
A couple from Wolverhampton has been handed a combined prison sentence of 33 years for a horrifying attack where a man was run over twice before having his gold chain stolen as he lay injured on the ground.
Shocking Details of the Attack Emerge
Melvin Winters, 46, and his girlfriend Josie James, 32, both from Bushbury, were convicted following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court last December. The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 2, last year, in Pope Road, located in The Scotlands area of Wolverhampton.
Police were alerted by ambulance services to what was described as a potentially fatal collision at approximately 2:20 PM. Officers arrived to find a 42-year-old victim receiving emergency treatment from paramedics for serious injuries to his legs, ribs, and shoulder before he was transported to hospital.
Vehicle Used as a Weapon in Calculated Assault
Investigations revealed that the victim had been struck by a black Vauxhall Insignia, which was later found abandoned in nearby Masefield Mews around 3:05 PM the same day. The severity of the attack prompted authorities to investigate it as an attempted murder case.
CCTV evidence played a crucial role in piecing together the events. It showed that Winters and James had met the victim that afternoon, and an argument ensued. As the victim walked away, Winters deliberately drove into him with the car, knocking him to the ground.
In a particularly brutal twist, Winters then circled the vehicle and struck the man a second time while he was still lying helpless on the pavement.
Robbery Compounds the Violence
While the victim was incapacitated, Josie James exited the vehicle and stole a gold chain from him. The couple then fled the scene, leaving the injured man behind. They were subsequently arrested from separate addresses on Saturday, July 5.
During the trial, Winters denied the charge of attempted murder, and both defendants denied robbery. However, the jury found them guilty on all counts.
Substantial Sentences Handed Down
The pair were sentenced on Wednesday, February 11. Melvin Winters received a 24-year prison sentence, with an additional four-year extended licence period upon his release. Josie James was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Detective Constable Reece Markham, from the West Midlands Police's Major Crime Unit, condemned the actions of the offenders. "Using a car as a weapon against another person is horrifyingly dangerous and completely reckless—it could so easily have resulted in a loss of life," he stated.
"Then for the victim to be robbed whilst helpless on the ground is shocking, and only compounded by the fact that the two offenders drove away leaving their victim to the mercy of his significant injuries. Both refused to take responsibility for their appalling actions but have now rightly been convicted and jailed for a considerable amount of time for their crime."
The case highlights the severe consequences of violent crime in the Black Country region and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such reckless and predatory behavior.
