Durham Man Jailed After Violent Car Theft and Police Assault
Gavin Aldworth, 38, from Bishop Auckland, has been sentenced at Preston Crown Court for a brutal robbery in Barrow. His violent attempt to steal a car ended with a police officer bitten and a crash on a busy road.
Attack on Street for Car Keys
On April 6, Aldworth approached a man heading to his car on Rawlinson Street, Barrow. He faked asking for directions, showing his phone to distract the victim. Suddenly, Aldworth struck him in the head and neck, knocking him to the ground.
As the victim fell, he dropped his car keys. Aldworth demanded the keys and then drove off in the victim’s vehicle. The terrified man fled up Harrison Street, where a witness quickly alerted police.
Crash on A590 and Violent Arrest
Police soon received reports of a car crash on the A590 near Greenodd. Passersby saw the driver running towards Kendal. Officers found the stolen car badly damaged with the airbag deployed and keys still inside.
Aldworth was found just a mile away. He resisted arrest fiercely — spitting and biting a police officer’s hand, causing injury. He was finally taken into custody.
Detective Slams Aldworth’s ‘Nothing But Trouble’
“Aldworth attacked a local man just to steal his car keys and make a dash back to the North East,” said Detective Constable Matt McFall. “He filled up the stolen car with petrol before crashing it, then fled on foot only to assault an officer.” “His behaviour has landed him with a well-deserved spell behind bars.”
Police urge anyone with information on similar crimes to come forward. Aldworth’s sentence sends a strong message: crime won’t pay in Barrow and beyond.
