A man and his girlfriend have been found guilty in a violent crime. The man is Melvin Winters. He is 46 years old. His girlfriend is Josie James. She is 32 years old.
The crime happened in Wolverhampton. It took place on July 2. The incident was on Pope Road in The Scotlands area. It was around 2:20 in the afternoon.
Melvin Winters used his car as a weapon. He drove a black Vauxhall Insignia. He hit a 42-year-old man with it. He hit the man two times.
First, Winters hit the man and knocked him down. The man was walking away after an argument. Then, Winters drove around and hit the man again while he was on the ground.
After the second hit, Josie James got out of the car. The victim was lying badly hurt in the road. James stole a gold chain from him. Then, she got back in the car. She and Winters drove away and left the man there.
Emergency services were called. They treated the man for serious injuries. He had hurt his legs, ribs, and shoulder. Paramedics took him to the hospital. He is still recovering.
Police found the abandoned car nearby. It was on Masefield Mews around 3:05 pm. They took it for forensic tests.
CCTV footage helped police. It showed the couple meeting the victim that afternoon. It showed the argument and the attack.
Police quickly identified Winters and James. They arrested them on July 5. They were taken from separate addresses.
Both denied the charges against them. But on December 18, they were both convicted of robbery. Melvin Winters was also convicted of attempted murder. The trial was at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
They are both from Bushbury in Wolverhampton. They will be sentenced on February 10.
A detective from the Major Crime Unit spoke about the case. He said using a car as a weapon is horrendous. He said it could have killed the victim. He also said it was appalling that James robbed the hurt man instead of helping him.
The detective said the couple refused to take responsibility. But they have now been rightly convicted.
