Jail for violent Bolton carjack gang of three

10:12am Saturday 7th June 2008

A GANG of violent carjackers who held a man at gunpoint have been jailed.

The men arranged to meet Abdel Kolia, aged 61, so they could test drive the car he was selling on behalf of his son.

But, part way through the journey, one of the gang put a pistol to Mr Kolia's head and threw him out of the car.

He managed to raise the alarm after running back to his home in Heaton and the men were later tracked down by police.

Yesterday, the gang - Barry Kirk, aged 26, James Tatton, aged 22, and James Hurst, aged 20, were jailed at Bolton Crown Court.

The court heard that the trio also carried out a similar robbery after arranging to meet their victims who were selling cars in AutoTrader magazine.

They saw Mr Kolia's son's car, a £13,000 Audi A3, and arranged to meet him at Morrison's supermarket in Black Horse Street, Bolton, on October 3 last year.

One member of the gang drove the Audi and another sat in the back while Mr Kolia was in the front passenger seat.

One of the gang followed in a Vauxhall Astra, which had been stolen in Warrington two hours earlier.

They were driving along Gilnow Road, near the victim's home, when one of the carjackers grabbed Mr Kolia around the neck.

Another held a gun, later found to be an imitation, to the back of his head and was then forced out of the car..

Kirk, of Meadow Close, Heywood, Tatton, of Lincoln Walk, Heywood, and Hurst, of Lock Close, Heywood, pleaded guilty to blackmail and possession of an imitation firearm.

Kirk and Hurst also admitted that on October 4 they were involved in another gunpoint carjacking in Accrington, when a Ford Focus was taken.

Hurst and Tatton also pleaded guilty to a separate robbery offence in Heywood.

The court heard that the gang did not make any effort to disguise themselves and used their own mobile phones to arrange the meetings.

Kirk was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison.

Tatton and Hurst were both given indeterminate sentences because they pose a danger to the public. They must serve at least four years before being considered for parole.

Judge Timothy Clayson said: "The offences happened in a short space of time. They were violent offences committed against vehicle owners.

"Those owners were attacked and a gun was pointed at them. It turned out to be an imitation, but was a realistic-looking item.

"Multiple serious offending demands a heavier sentence than an isolated offence."

Following the case, Det Insp Andrew Cunliffe, of Bolton CID, said: "The victims went along innocently to meet these men in the hope of selling their cars.

"However, they were instead subjected to a terrifying gunpoint robbery in their own car.

"These men left a trail of destruction in their wake over the course of two days and I hope these sentences act as a deterrent.

"I would also like to remind anyone selling their car privately to take every precaution possible to ensure they build up a good picture of the potential buyer.

"If in any doubt, call off the deal immediately."