William Morton voiced his fears today, after the prolific thief who was behind the wheel was jailed for 16 months.

Mr Morton had clung on desperately when banned driver Ian Irwin attempted to steal his Chrysler Neon.

The 77-year-old had left the engine running when he popped into his local shop on Hastings Street, Hendon, Sunderland, on February 9.

He saw somebody behind the wheel as he came back out of the store and made a brave bid to stop the stranger getting away.

Irwin, 37, of Roker Avenue, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to aggravated vehicle and driving while disqualified.

Now his victim says he has been left out of pocket and stripped of his independence.

Mr Morton believes the shock of the incident brought on a heart condition, and is now waiting for vital surgery.

"Sixteen months does not seem a long time. The trouble is it isn't going to bring my car back.

"I am still waiting for a heart operation. Since the accident, it has accelerated, so I'm waiting for a heart bypass.

"I went to see the doctor yesterday to try and get it done quickly, because I don't think I will be alive much longer.

"It is still difficult getting about, and my breathing is affected now. I used to be able to run, but I can hardly get upstairs now.

"My wife has been very supportive and has been going for the groceries and things like that, but she has health problems too.

"I used to be very independent, so it is quite depressing."
Mr Morton had harsh words for the legal system.

"There is so much injustice in this world, and they seem to be incapable of putting people in prison for the length of time that they should, because there are people coming from all over the world with their bad habits, and the prisons are full.

"There is no hope unless the governments of the world get together and organise a real legal system across the world."

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Irwin reversed, applied the brakes and drove in a zig-zag fashion to flip Mr Morton off the bonnet.

Prosecutor Geoff Mason said: "It eventually reached the point where he collided with a parked vehicle and the impact of stopping the car caused Mr Morton to shoot off the car and on to the road."

Mr Morton, a former RAF serviceman, is hoping to seek compensation for his injuries through the Victim Care Bureau.

Defence barrister Julian Smith said Irwin wished to apologise to the owner of the vehicle, which he had taken on impulse.
Mr Smith said: "He had not gone out to commit an offence that morning."

The serial thief had been banned from driving eight times it was revealed at an earlier court hearing. He has 24 previous convictions for 80 offences, including eight driving bans, and four of failing to surrender.