Mother suffers baby theft dreams

Tomkinson pleaded guilty to a series of offences

A mother whose baby was driven away by a car thief posing as a police officer still has nightmares about the man.

Four-month-old Jack was later dumped on a pavement after the silver Lexus, owned by his mother Emma Williams, was snatched in Bolton in February.

Craig Tomkinson, 40, has been jailed for five years and five months after admitting a series of offences.

Ms Williams said: "I see his face on a regular basis whether it be asleep or awake - his image is always there."

Tomkinson, of Ivanhoe Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to a total of 16 offences including theft, dangerous driving and wearing a police uniform with intent to deceive.

I've not been able to do the normal things that we used to do, just through being scared or anxious Emma Williams

He was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Monday.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Williams added: "It [his image] might not come as often now but it's still going to be there and it was an horrific ordeal to go through.

"We are going to have to live with it for the rest of our lives. It's had a massive impact on us all.

"I've not been able to do the normal things that we used to do, just through being scared or anxious.

"Our two-year-old son relives what happened quite often... it's quite upsetting to hear your two-year-old boy speak about the event from that day."

Ms Williams said she still saw Tomkinson's face on a regular basis

The 24-year-old was standing next to her car on Tonge Bridge Way, Bolton, on 26 February when she was approached by Tomkinson, who was wearing a stolen police jacket.

He jumped in the driver's seat and drove off, stopping briefly as Ms Williams pleaded with him to let her get the children out of the car.

Although her partner Gareth Forbes - who had given chase - got her two-year-old son out, Tomkison sped off again with four-month-old Jack still strapped in his car seat.

About 30 minutes later he returned to Tonge Bridge Way in a stolen Nissan Miscra and dumped the infant by the side of the road.

Det Sgt Graham Clare, of Greater Manchester Police, said Tomkinson had put the couple "through hell".