Crook jailed for stealing £8,000 Audi from forecourt of Castleford car dealership
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Duane Cale was caught after being dragged from the vehicle when another member of staff witnessed the incident and drove after him.
Leeds Crown Court heard the robbery took place on November 3 this year at Trust Ford, on Park Road, Castleford.
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Hide AdCale attracted the attention of an off-duty police officer who spotted the defendant acting suspiciously as he was taking his car into the garage
The officer warned staff after seeing Cale "milling around" outside.
A salesman approached Cale after the officer had left and the defendant asked about car finance for an Audi A1 worth £8,000.
Cale told the staff member that he was interested in buying the car for his girlfriend and asked to have a look at the vehicle.
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Hide AdRobert Galley, prosecuting, said the car engine was switched on and Cale was allowed to look under the bonnet.
Once the bonnet was lowered the 37-year-old pushed the salesman out of the way and drove off in the Audi.
Mr Galley said the man was shocked but did not suffer any physical injury.
The robbery was observed by a colleague who then followed the Audi in a Ford Focus.
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Hide AdHe managed to box Cale in at a roundabout nearby and the two vehicles came into contact with each other.
The staff member got into the Audi, grabbed the defendant and removed the keys from the ignition.
Cale made threats to bite and stab the man during the struggle.
Police were contacted and Cale was apprehended with the help of officers and members of the public.
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Hide AdCale, of Chirchfield Grove, Rothwell, Leeds, was banned from driving at the time of the incident
He pleaded guilty to robbery and driving while disqualified.
The court heard he has 22 previous convictions for 116 offences dating back to 1997.
The offences include aggravated vehicle taking and motoring offences.
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Hide AdStephen Welford, mitigating, said Cale regretted his actions and accepted that he had behaved foolishly.
Mr Welford said the defendant has a partner and a young family to support and plans to stop offending.
Sentencing, Judge Neil Clarke said: "I get the impression this started out as an attempted theft.
"You have left that salesman with ongoing psychiatric symptoms.
"You have a criminal record as long as I have seen for someone of your age."