The man feared he had been ‘kidnapped’ during the horrifying ordeal, but the thief later claimed he had no idea he was there
Richard Walker was jailed at Hull Crown Court(Image: Humberside Police)
A terrified man feared that he had been “kidnapped” after a hooded thief got into a car, started up the engine and suddenly drove off at high speed – with him sitting helplessly in the back seat. The horrified passenger feared that something terrible was going to happen to him at the hands of the menacing stranger.
The thief hurtled along at “frightening” speeds before stopping the car and hurriedly ordering the rear seat passenger to get out. There was later a police chase and the driver “completely lost control” and crashed into a pub, Hull Crown Court heard.
Richard Walker, 37, from Hull, but of no fixed address and recently in custody on remand, admitted stealing a car, dangerous driving and causing criminal damage on February 23.
Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that a man was driving his car, with a friend as his back seat passenger, and he went into a Tesco store on Anlaby Road, west Hull, to do some shopping. “He left the keys in the vehicle,” said Mr Welch.
The rear passenger became aware that a man had got into the car. The stranger – Walker – was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and he drove off in the car at reckless speeds. The passenger was “absolutely terrified” and feared that he had been kidnapped and that someone might be about to hurt him.
The man tried the door handles in a bid to open them and get out but he could not escape. He asked the driver what was going on.
Walker stopped the car on Anlaby Road and told the rear passenger: “Get out of the car before I hurt you. Get out.” The passenger did get out and Walker drove off.
The man later said: “I am very down. I don’t feel safe to stay here. Anybody anywhere can hurt you and this is how I feel. It’s not normal, what he did, and I do not know how he didn’t know I was there.”
The prosecution accepted Walker’s claim that he did not know that the man was there in the car. The police caught up with Walker and there was a chase along Anlaby Road.
Walker tried to escape from the police and ended up swerving over the road and into the Silver Cod pub in Anlaby Road, hitting furniture outside and causing damage estimated at £500. The damage to the car was put at £1,250.
“He ran off down the road,” said Mr Welch. The police pursued him and a police dog was released. It bit Walker.
He continued to resist and a police officer punched him in the face, causing his nose to bleed.
Walker was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary for treatment but he was abusive throughout and made threats, including threats to kill. During police interview, he said: “I took a car. I didn’t know anyone was in the back.”
Walker had convictions for 64 previous offences. He had been jailed in October 2024 for two years and eight months for burglary.
Amber Hobson, mitigating, said that it was disgraceful behaviour by Walker and he did not seek to minimise it. “There is no excuse behind the defendant’s behaviour,” said Miss Hobson.
Walker took the car on impulse and he was not thinking straight at the time. “He is incredibly sorry to the owner of the car and the male inside,” said Miss Hobson.
“He didn’t anticipate that someone would be in the car. He panicked. He recognises that he has been a complete idiot. He wants to express his sincere apologies.
“He has struggled with addiction most of his life. He was addicted to crack cocaine.” He was now working with a drugs team and he was on methadone.
While in custody, he was doing a catering course. “He is trying to turn his mind to better pursuits,” said Miss Hobson.
Judge John Thackray KC told Walker: “The poor gentleman, in the early hours, was sitting in his friend’s car and, all of a sudden, you got in and drove off. He was absolutely terrified. He thought that he had been kidnapped.
“You were speeding. You then stopped and told him to get out or you would hurt him. He didn’t see any weapons but he was scared that you had weapons.
“You got rid of your unexpected passenger and you drove off at speed and there was a police chase. It was late at night in a built-up area.”
Walker went up Anlaby Road at a “frightening speed” and “completely lost control” of the car, which careered across the pavement, went onto the pavement and crashed into the pub, causing damage. “Just imagine the consequences had there been some poor chap walking back from a night out in town, making his way home, or walking their dog,” said Judge Thackray.
“You would have been facing a sentence measured in many years. The pub was damaged, the car was damaged and then you made a run for it.
“You were caught and were arrested. There was appalling behaviour by you at the hospital. You have an appalling record going back many years. You seem determined to serve a life sentence in instalments.”
Walker was jailed for two years and eight months and he was banned from driving for three years and four months. He will have to pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.
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