Thief steals purple volvo with elderly woman in back

A thief dumped an elderly lady on a roadside on Christmas Day after he failed to realise she was in the back of the car he had just stolen.

The woman, in her 80s, was sat in the back seat of the vehicle, which was loaded with Christmas presents she had just been given by her family, when a youth jumped in and drove off.

He travelled about 100 metres before noticing the woman and promptly pulled her out and left her sat by the side of a road in Redditch, Worcestershire, as he sped off.

The pensioner had been left in the purple Volvo momentarily by her son while he visited an address in Bridley Moor Road at about 8.15pm. She was found by a passer-by who drove her back up the road to her son.

Pc Matthew Hunt said: "Although the woman was not hurt she was obviously left very shaken. It happened so fast that I don't think she realised what was happening at the time and she is quite distressed, particularly as this was Christmas Day and her presents were still in the back of the car.

"This was a shocking thing to happen to a decent family who didn't deserve all this hassle at Christmas, let alone any time."

The young car thief is described as white, aged 16 to 18, and was wearing a black jacket, or hooded top, and dark coloured trousers.

The family of the woman want to trace the passer-by who came to the rescue to thank him for his help.

Anyone with information should call 08457 44888 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.