A WOMAN who fought back when a man tried to steal her car in the centre of Belfast has been praised for her bravery.
As west Belfast man Gavin Gerard Francis Wilson was jailed for four offences arising from the incident last April, the female motorist was commended for "having a go, rather than just standing back and letting this man steal your vehicle."
Wilson, from Lady Street, initially denied that he tried to steal the Toyota MR2 from the centre of Belfast. However, in the midst of a trial which was held at Belfast Crown Court last month, Wilson admitted his guilt.
The hijacking occurred around tea-time on April 1 last year, when the woman had parked her car at Kent Street and was standing outside her vehicle checking her windscreen wipers.
The driver's door was closed and the keys were still in the ignition, and at this point Wilson - who was dressed in dark clothing with a hoodie and scarf covering most of his face - got into the driver's seat.
The owner was able to yank open the driver's door and pulled herself onto Wilson's lap using the steering wheel for leverage. She was also able to pull the keys out of the ignition - but as the car had a turbo timer, the engine remained on for a full minute.
Despite a struggle taking place between Wilson and the motorist - during which she stuck her finger in his eye - the car was driven a short distance before colliding with a white van. It then crashed into a 'stop' sign and Wilson fled on foot.
During yesterday's sentencing, Judge Neil Rafferty QC spoke of the "considerable inconvenience" caused to the motorist, who not only had to pay for the damage to her car, but who also had to review her personal security as both her house and car keys were taken during the incident.
Defence barrister Barry Gibson told Judge Rafferty that Wilson was "very apologetic" and had written a letter to the woman as he was "acutely aware of the hurt he has caused her."
Wilson - who admitted four offences including aggravated vehicle taking causing damage and driving whilst disqualifed - was handed a two-and-a-half year sentence. He was informed he will spend half the sentence in prison, with the remainder on licence upon his release.
He was told by the Judge: "I note this took place on April Fool's Day, and you were certainly the fool." Commending the female motorist's bravery, Judge Rafferty told Wilson that he "found more than he could handle" when she fought back.
The Judge also said she "had the guts and determination not to put up with you stealing her car ... she has to be praised for what she did."
In addition to the sentence, Wilson was also banned from driving for four years.
