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‘Blind drunk’ Rochdale man stole car outside takeaway shop with passenger inside

A ‘blind drunk’ Rochdale man who stole a car as the passenger sat inside has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.

John Horner, 33, made off with Mohammad Zafar’s Tayota – and his wife – as he entered a takeaway on Manchester Road.

Horner, who has previously been convicted for reckless driving and several counts of driving while disqualified, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court last week.

His defence lawyer, Mr Marrs, said: “In recent years he has got better, he lives with his partner and a child.

“He is very very sorry.”

Mr Horner, of St Anns Road, forced the keys out of Mrs Zafar’s hand she jumped out of the car as he sped away from the scene.

He drove 20 miles before a police officer was alerted to the vehicle and a car chase took place.

When the police followed the car four others had joined Mr Horner, he said he had not been driving at the time.

At the time of the interview he said he could not remember the incident as he was blind drunk having attended a family member’s funeral.

Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.

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