Fuel thief who left garage worker with fractured cheek is jailed

Brave cashier Martin Day ran across the forecourt and dived into the driver’s car window in an attempt to stop Hassan Qadar leaving the forecourt of Hillcrest BP Garage, Sowerby Bridge.

He clung onto the window and was thrown onto the pavement as the vehicle sped away before it crashed into an oncoming car on Burnley Road.

Mr Day hit the pavement at such force that he fractured his cheek bone and suffered from severe shock, ending up in hospital, a court heard.

Yesterday, as Qadar, 23, of Gibbet Street, Halifax, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall commended Mr Day for his actions.

“I hold serious respect for Martin Day’s bravery. That was a brave man who did his job and put himself at risk when Qadar tried to get away with such a blatant crime. Well done Mr Day.”

The court heard that the “planned attack” occurred at around 11pm on July 22, 2014 when a Jaguar and Vauxhall Vectra pulled up to pump six and eight at the garage.

The man in the Jaguar put £30 worth of fuel in his car and quickly conversed with Qadar before he fled the scene without paying.

Qadar attempted to do the same and filled the Vectra that he was driving with petrol to the value of £38 and attempted to escape but Mr Day intervened.

The Vectra collided with another car on entering the main road after the incident.

Qadar then escaped out of the passenger door and made off from the scene in the previously escaped Jaguar. He handed himself into police the day after.

Mehran Nassir, prosecuting, told the court: “Mr Day was in shock after the incident, shaking violently, was unable to confirm his name and was taken to hospital.”

The number plates had been changed on both the cars and Qadar was not insured.

Qadar who pleaded guilty to common assault, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and making off without payment was jailed for 13 months.

Jeremy Hill-Baker, defending, said: “It is quite obvious that this is a case that crosses the custody threshold and it is a serious case from what appeared to be a relatively blameless life.”

Mr Day was involved in another incident at the garage in August last year when he was attacked by a masked gang in a robbery.

He was repeatedly struck with a baseball bat and suffered with cuts and bruises.

DI Gary Stephenson said after the sentencing: “This could have ended with serious injury being caused because of someone not wanting to pay for their petrol. This should send out a strong message to those thinking of carrying out these thefts, that prison may well be the outcome.”

No one at the garage could comment on the recent matter.