A MAN who caused crippling injuries to a worker while trying to steal a car near Chorley has been jailed for five years.

Preston Crown Court heard that Jason Dean's victim had to undergo more than 10 operations for serious leg injuries and could now only manage to shuffle about his home.

Wayne Entwistle, 33, was left severely injured while trying to prevent a car theft at WST Engineering in Railway Road, Adlington. He was left pinned against railings.

Dean, 32, of The Crescent, Chorley, had pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to resist apprehension, all occurred last December.

The defendant managed to hot wire a VW Polo on a car park, when vehicle safety worker Mr Entwistle shouted at Dean to stop. The car shot forwards and backwards and the defendant appeared drugged up.

Mr Entwistle was waiting for police to arrive when the car shot forward, pinning him against railings. Dean continued revving the engine, with the wheels spinning.

The court also heard that Dean had little recollection of events, having taken a large amount of valium.

John Wishart, defending, said Dean had never wished anything like that to happen. At the time Dean was feeding himself excessive tranquillisers to keep him off heroin.

Judge Philip Sycamore, said the defendant's actions had had a dramatic effect on Mr Entwistle's family, from which they would never fully recover. It had been a terrifying incident.

He added: "Society cannot and will not tolerate violence of this kind. Your actions were taken with a total disregard for the safety of another human being."