Two thieves have been jailed for a crime spree that saw them steal several vehicles from car dealerships in the West Midlands.
Reuben Hylton and Meryl Dacosta were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for a number of thefts, one of which included dragging a car salesman along the street. In December 2014 the pair attended a Kings Heath used car dealership and having been given the keys to a Renault Megane they proceeded to drive away without paying for it, a tactic they used at other dealerships for the following two months.
Cases such as this illustrate the importance of dealerships having a high quality combined motor trade insurance policy. Not only will this offer cover against theft for the vehicles stored on site, but having employer's liability as part of the combined trader's insurance policy will also provide financial protection for members of staff should they be hurt on the job, such as the salesman injured when he attempted to stop Mr Hylton and Ms Dacosta.
In total, the Redditch Advertiser reports that Mr Hylton was later charged with 19 offences. This included six counts of stealing motor vehicles from forecourts across the West Midlands, eight counts of driving while disqualified, two counts of making off without paying for petrol, one count of assault and another charge of breaching an anti-social behaviour order. Ms Dacosta was also charged in connection with two of the robberies.
The pair, who had already pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, were sentenced this month. Mr Hylton received a 40 month custodial sentence and a 44 month driving ban, while Dacosta was jailed for 18 months.
