A BUSINESSMAN has vowed that he will overcome the injuries he suffered when metal thieves drove over him as he tried to prevent their escape.

Peter Rigal’s leg was broken in several places and he had to undergo a series of operations following the incident at his metal and industrial plant yard, York Crown Court heard.

Reginald Bosomworth, prosecuting, said the thieves used a van as a weapon to force their way through the yard’s gates as he tried to hold them closed and drove off with him on its bonnet.

He tried to get the keys out of the ignition by reaching through an open window, but the driver drove along a length of hedge which pushed him off onto the ground.

“He was dragged under the van, the van went over him and as a result of that he sustained serious injuries,” said Mr Bosomworth.

Doctors initially feared his injuries were life-threatening.

The Selby area businessman told Judge Rodney Jameson in a victim impact statement: “I am not going to let this horrendous incident take over my life, or the lives of those around me. This is a work in progress. I can only hope one day, when the leg is not hurting, to get back to life as it was before this incident.”

He said his enforced time off work had cost his company, Rigal Bennett of Whitley, south of Selby, money.

Patrick Smith, 20, of Owston Road, Carcroft, Doncaster, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Rigal on the basis that though he realised his actions could have caused harm, he hadn’t anticipated the injuries that actually occurred. CCTV seen by the court shows that he was the front seat passenger, not the driver, of the van. He was jailed for four years.

Judge Rodney Jameson said: “You didn’t disassociate yourself (with the driving) you jumped into the vehicle and therefore were content to be driving off with Mr Rigal on the bonnet.”

He claimed that he was remorseful, but the judge said if he was, he could have revealed the name of the driver, who has not been caught. Smith reacted angrily from the dock.

Mr Bosomworth said the company had installed extra security after it suffered a spate of burglaries and staff were immediately suspicious when the van arrived and drove round the yard. They tried to block its escape by closing the gates.