(Image: Cleveland Police)
A car thief who punched, headbutted and spat at two police officers has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Richard Heppenstall, 41, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday, October 8.
He approached a woman at about 7.40am on July 12 at McDonald’s in Middlesbrough Leisure Park.
The woman was heading to the boot of her Fiat 500 when Heppenstall forcibly grabbed her keys. She let go in fear, and he drove away.
CCTV work by Middlesbrough CID identified Heppenstall and the stolen car. Officers arrested him soon afterwards and recovered the Fiat 500.
During the arrest, Heppenstall punched, headbutted and spat at two officers. He was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
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He was charged with robbery, stealing a motor vehicle, driving without the correct licence, driving without insurance and three counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
Detective Constable Grace Hall, from Middlesbrough CID, said: “This was a terrifying incident for a lone woman to endure as she was going about her daily business.”
“For Heppenstall to do this and then go on to assault officers as he was arrested is utterly shocking, and I am pleased that he has now been jailed for his actions.
“I hope that this sentence can help the victim, and those officers who were assaulted, to move forward and know that justice has been served.”