A car thief attacked a pensioner outside Croydon Sainsbury’s, then nearly hit the mother and baby

A thug attacked an 80-year-old man during a supermarket carjacking, then almost hit a mother and her daughter as he tried to escape police.

Billy Jones, described as having an “incredible lack of empathy”, deliberately targeted a pensioner in a Sainsbury’s car park in Croydon on April 17.

The 27-year-old told the elderly man he had a flat tire before jumping into his car to steal it.

A court heard Jones assaulted the man before driving off with the pensioner still clinging to the car.

The following day, Jones was involved in a police chase through Croydon in the pensioner’s stolen Citroen C3.

Judge Samantha Presland said: “To avoid the police you drove onto the pavement where there was a mother and a pram and it was only by the grace of God that they were able to get out of the way.”

The judge added: “You could have killed them quite easily.”

Jones, of no fixed abode, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to assault, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.

Billy Jones (Image: Police Met)

He appeared at Croydon Crown Court for sentencing on June 10.

Judge Presland said Jones had an extensive history of car theft and dangerous driving.

“It is clear that you are extremely dangerous behind the wheel,” she said.

Barrister Elisenda Mitchell, defending Jones, said: “There is no explanation for Mr Jones’s behavior other than he recognizes that his conduct over those two days was unacceptable and he is 100% sorry for it.”

Ms Mitchell added that Jones had a long-standing drug problem.

However, Judge Presland told Jones: “Your lawyer said this was an impulsive act to fund a drug addiction, but your criminal record indicates a person who is reckless, dangerous and likes to speed in cars.”

She added: “This is not an impulsive murder, this is a complete lack of empathy murder.”

Jones was sentenced to two years and two months in prison.

When he is released, he will be disqualified from driving for five years.