William Lewis, a notorious carjacker, has been jailed for 11 and a half years following a theft that left a man with life-changing injuries. This marks another chapter in Lewis’ criminal history, which has seen him involved in multiple car thefts.
In 2021, Lewis, 40, was convicted for a series of brazen thefts, one of which was foiled by a woman who tracked down the thief after he stole her Ford Kuga at a garage in Marston Green, Solihull. At the time, Detective Sergeant Mick Clark described the crime as among the most daring he had encountered. After serving a 30-month sentence for his role in the thefts, Lewis was released, but his return to crime in November 2023 was even more shocking.
Lewis targeted a petrol station garage in Tyburn, where a motorist was filling his tyres with air. The driver became a victim of car theft when Lewis jumped into the driver’s seat and sped off, dragging the owner along for a considerable distance. CCTV footage later showed Lewis abandoning the vehicle after the victim became trapped beneath it, leaving him with severe and long-lasting injuries. The vehicle was later found in Chelmsley Wood, and Lewis was eventually arrested at a Solihull address, after assaulting two police officers during his capture.
Lewis has been convicted of robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and causing grievous bodily harm. Authorities revealed that Lewis was also linked to other car thefts in Yardley and Solihull.
DS Curt Wilkins, who led the investigation, called the crime a “shocking robbery” that resulted in devastating consequences for the victim. “Lewis is clearly a dangerous individual, and his removal from the streets is a relief to the public,” DS Wilkins said. “It’s hoped that his victims can find some comfort in knowing that justice has been served.”
