Thief jailed over fatal fuel raid

A man has been jailed for a fuel raid during which a farmer's wife suffered a fatal heart attack.

Tony Blair, 22, of Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, was discovered stealing diesel from East House Farm, Bishop Middleham, County Durham, on 22 June.

Rosemary Dove, 68, collapsed after dialling 999 while her husband and son chased Blair, who then drove a stolen car at the son, injuring him.

Blair was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison.

'Irresponsible and selfish'

He had earlier pleaded guilty to six charges in connection with the raid.

Teesside Crown Court was told Mrs Dove and her husband Frank, 67, spotted Blair stealing red diesel when they returned to their farm from an agricultural show in Scotland.

Mr Dove and son James, 44, gave chase to a nearby field, where the younger man was hit by the getaway vehicle, a stolen Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck.

Mrs Dove, who had returned to the farmhouse to dial 999, was later found collapsed and subsequently died.

In November Blair, of Leeholme Road, pleaded guilty to six charges.

He admitted grievous bodily harm with intent, theft of a Mitsubishi L200 pick-up, theft of diesel, theft of a caravan and two charges of handling stolen goods including a Toyota Landcruiser and a Nissan Xtrail.

Jailing Blair, Judge Tony Briggs said: "Your record is a long one which shows quite clearly you are irresponsible and selfish and conduct yourself with total disregard of the safety of others."

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