A thief who ran over the retired owner of a garden centre with his car has had his case referred by magistrates to a Crown Court so that he can receive a stiffer sentence.
Christopher Ogley, 43, stole vases worth £73 from Spring Green Nurseries in Wakefield last month. But when he got into his car to make a getaway he was confronted by two members of the Pell family, who run the centre.

Seventy-six-year-old Roger Pell, who established the business in 1970 but is now retired, stood by the passenger door, while his son Jonathan Pell, the shop manager, went to the driver's door. Wakefield Magistrates Court heard that Ogley then flung the passenger door open and said: "Just take them".

Prosecutor Gaynor Zeki went on: "Suddenly, the defendant started the engine and reversed the car. The open passenger door has knocked down Roger Pell, who knocked his head on the ground.

"The defendant continued to reverse at speed and in the process of reversing the front near-side wheel has run over Roger Pell, who was lying on the ground."

Jonathan Pell then repeatedly punched Ogley in the face through the driver's door window in an attempt to stop him causing further injury. However, Ogley smashed into another car in the garden centre's car park and then fled.

The incident left Roger Pell with tyre marks on his body and clothes, and he had to go to hospital with severe bruising and a broken finger.

Ogley admitted assaulting Roger Pell and causing him actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and the theft of the vases.

District Judge Sandra Knapton told him: "My powers of punishment are inadequate. I'm committing this case to Leeds Crown Court for sentence."

Ogley will be sentenced later this month and is barred from going within 50 yards of Spring Green Nurseries.