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Range Rover thief who left student carer in a coma after 70mph police chase is jailedLayton Clenton stole the Range Rover from the car park at IKEA in Wednesbury and then failed to stop for

police when he was spotted on the outskirts of WolverhamptonBlack Country birminghammail.co.uk18:54, 30 May 2025Layton Clenton(Image: WMP) A thief who crashed a stolen Range Rover head-on

into two women just after police abandoned a high speed chase has been jailed.

Layton Clenton was driving the powerful 4X4 on the wrong side of the A449 Stafford Road in Wolverhampton at speeds of up to 70mph when he collided with an oncoming Ford Fiesta on September

30.

‌ One of the women, a student carer, suffered multiple serious injuries in the horrific crash and was left in a coma for several days.

‌ Read More: 'Shocking' sentence of special needs teaching assistant who abused pupils to be reviewed

Clenton, 19, fled the scene but was traced and was arrested on October 4.

In February he admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and failing to stop for police.

Article continues below He further admitted driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, failing to stop after an accident and being involved in and failing to report an accident.

The aftermath of the crash involving the stolen Range Rover on the A449(Image: WMP) Clenton, of Tennyson Road, Wolverhampton, was today sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court to four years

in prison.

‌ Mayhem unfolded after Clenton stole the Range Rover from the car park at IKEA in Wednesbury earlier in the evening and failed to stop for police when he was spotted on the outskirts of

Wolverhampton.

He was observed driving at over 60mph on the 30mph roads and went through at least one red light as he tried to evade officers.

Clenton travelled the wrong way round a roundabout before going up the wrong side of the Stafford Road dual carriageway -hitting speeds in excess of 70mph on the 40mph road.

‌ Police called off their pursuit at that point but he went on to collide head-on with the Fiesta just after 8.35pm.

One of the two women in the car suffered multiple serious injuries, including a fractured spine, which left her in a coma for several days, and she is still continuing with her recovery.

Her colleague was discharged from hospital shortly afterwards.

‌ In her victim impact statement, the young carer told the court: "I had just embarked on my university journey feeling full of promise for the future ahead of me working towards becoming a

qualified nurse.

"I am extremely passionate about this and loved my job providing care in the community.

"On that day I had felt excited about uni and my future. Little did I know how much my life was about to change.

‌ "Six months on and I’m still unable to lead the same quality of life I had prior to the collision."

Clenton fled from the scene but left behind a baseball cap which contained his DNA and led to a match.

Forensic tests on the airbags in the stolen Range Rover, which went off in the impact of the collision, also came back with a positive match for Clenton's DNA.

‌ Det Insp Richard Marsh from Force CID, said: "This incident highlights the real risks and consequences associated with vehicle crime, which some people may view as a low level or a

victimless crime.

"But the theft of motor vehicles can lead to serious harm for those involved in the crime, for other motorists and pedestrians, and to police.

"Our investigation was swift and saw Clenton arrested within days.

Article continues below "It also resulted in a guilty plea which has meant the victims have at least been spared the ordeal of reliving their traumatic experience in court.

"Our thoughts go out to both them and their families, and I sincerely hope today’s sentencing brings some closure to all those affected by these events."