Having your vehicle stolen is bad enough, but carjacking—having it taken while you’re behind the wheel—is potentially dangerous, even lethal.
Carjackings are up in cities across the country.
Depending on the elements of unlawful conduct and the state in which the incident occurred, carjacking is a serious felony. Victims of carjacking may suffer serious injuries. The victim of a crime is frequently coerced into giving up the car through the use of force, a violent act, or the fear of violence.
It is a crime that seems worlds away, but it is a crime that is occurring with alarming frequency. It can happen on your way to the grocery store or on your way home from work. No one is exempt from this crime that is sweeping the Nation and creating fear.
Carjacking is often a crime committed with a brutal attack by a thief. The person taking the car will use force and often a weapon to take the vehicle insistently.
Now, a story is as heartbreaking as it is terrifying when a teenage carjacker just repeatedly hit his female victim with a hammer leaving her with permanent sight damage! And what’s worse is the criminal showed no remorse for what he did!
On Tuesday evening on March 19, 2019, in Birmingham, West Midlands, Blythe Mason-Boyle had just left the Énergie Fitness gym when she was attacked next to her Audi A1.
Majid Ali attacked his female victim with a hammer, smashing her in the face and head. (Photo Credit: West Midlands Police)
The young woman was ambushed by 18-year-old Majid Ali, who was carrying a hammer and had a callous disdain for human life, as she unlocked her Audi A1 within minutes of walking out the doors of the gym. The kid started hitting his helpless female victim in the head and face as she screamed in terror, with the sole intention of taking Mason-Boyle’s automobile.
Mason-Boyle was then taken to the hospital for treatment; the woman suffered cuts and a fractured eye socket.
Blythe Mason-Boyle suffered gashes to her head and face as well as a fractured eye socket. (Photo Credit: Facebook)
She now struggles to see clearly through one eye and eventually learned that it left her partially blind, possibly permanently, she has also received counseling to overcome the trauma of her ordeal.
Mason-Boyle shared pictures of her sickening injuries on Facebook in an effort to warn people to be on their guard against thieves.
In her post she said:
“So last night at around 8pm whilst leaving the gym I was attacked by two men with hammers for the sake of an Audi A1.
Ladies and Gents please all be extra vigilant when getting into your cars after dark. Take that extra bit of time to check your surrounding area and study the people around you. Stay safe, you never know what’s around the corner!
‘If anybody saw anything between 8:00 and 8:05 by Énergie fitness sheldon gym please contact me”
The Blythe Mason-Boyle was partially blinded due to the blows to her eye socket. (Photo Credit: Facebook)
Within 24 hours, police were able to locate her car and identify Ali as the primary suspect.
The hammer was found behind a sofa bed when police searched his residence in Mountford Street, Sparkhill, Birmingham.
The teen, who was 17 at the time, was found guilty; however, Police testified at Ali’s trial that he accepted no responsibility for the severe injuries he gave to Mason-Boyle. He expresses “no remorse,” fortunately when it came time for sentencing, Birmingham Crown Court took into account his ruthless attitude.
Ali was given a concurrent two-year and nine-year term after being found guilty of both robbery and possessing an offensive weapon.
The goal, as Detective Constable Rebecca Woodcock emphasized, is to “ensure he has time to reflect” on his deeds and eventually come to some sense of remorse.
She described the incident as a “ferocious attack on a defenceless woman whose injuries sadly continue to impact her today. She has suffered both physical and emotional pain as a result of the happened at the hands of Ali. He has refused to take responsibility for what he did but we’ve helped to ensure he has time to reflect on his savage actions off the street.”
Mason-Boyle acknowledges that the experience has been the “toughest” moment of her life, but she is happy with the judge’s decision, although she received justice at the end of a trial and investigation process that lasted about a year.
“This has been a challenging and frustrating 10 months, but justice has been served. I would like to think this carries the message that under no circumstances is it ever justified to attack any vulnerable person for a materialistic object. I can finally move forward with a life that’s been on hold and bring closure to this chapter,” she said.
Carjacking has become a very common crime. People tend to feel safe in their cars because it is familiar, comfortable surroundings. It is not our intention to make people fearful of driving. However, people need to take precautions, particularly women.
Mason-Boyle’s story is a great lesson for all of us.
Here’s a thing that might help you to prevent auto theft and carjacking:
Your car’s doors should always be locked, day or night.
Park your vehicle in areas that are well-lit, so people can see you and hear you shout.
Always try to park close to an entrance, especially if you plan to be gone for a while.
Carry pepper spray with you at all times in case you find yourself in a precarious scenario.
If another vehicle “bump-signals” to you or otherwise tries to let you know that anything is wrong with your automobile, proceed to a busy place first, such as a gas station, before stopping. Carjackers frequently employ this tactic to get victims to stop their vehicles in risky locations.
If you know you’ll be going somewhere new, plan your route before you go. Avoid using side streets and stick to the motorways.
Always look under your car and under the back seat before getting inside.
Wait for a police officer to assist you if your vehicle breaks down. Ask to see the officer’s credentials through a small window opening.
Never accept assistance from a person in an unmarked vehicle.
When at a traffic signal, maintain a safe gap between your car’s front and rear. You might be able to escape a hazardous situation if an emergency arises.
Use the middle lane whenever you can.
Keep your car’s engine running after you’ve parked it so you may inspect the area around it and the path you will take to go to your destination.
Even though you are at home, if you have a garage, use it, and don’t forget to lock your doors when you leave.
