Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
David Stephenson (23/01/1973) of no fixed abode has been jailed this week for 8 years and 6 months after being found guilty of kidnap, theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving and driving without a license.
On Saturday 6 January 2024, we received a panicked call from the daughter of an 89-year-old woman whose car had been stolen… with her mother in it.
As it was January, she had left the engine running to keep the heating on in the car to keep her elderly mother warm for 10 minutes while she went into the shops.
Stephenson, not phased by the fact a vulnerable elderly woman was in the passenger seat, got in the car and drove off.
Specialist officers from our Roads Policing Unit were immediately notified, and due to the risk posed to the passenger, a pursuit was authorised. Thankfully, we were able to bring the car to a safe stop, detain Stephenson, and reunite the victim with her daughter.
Chief Inspector Matt Jackson from our Specialist Operations said: “This must have been really terrifying for the woman who was in the passenger seat when the car got stolen. She is blind and has dementia, she wouldn’t have known what was going on – I can’t even begin to imagine what was going through her mind.
“I am proud of my officers, whose fast thinking and ability to remain calm in any given situation, meant we were able to bring the vehicle to a safe stop, and swiftly arrest Stephenson.
“Their response meant that the woman was safety reunited with her daughter, it could have ended very differently if we didn’t work the way we did to get her back safe.”
GMP remain committed to tackling vehicle crime and anyone with information or concerns about crime in your area should report to GMP through 101 or through the LiveChat facility at gmp.police.uk.
Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.