A driver who ran over a mum-to-be as she tried to stop suspected fraudsters leaving her shop has been jailed for three years.

Vinisha Ajanraj, 30, suffered horrific injuries during the incident outside the Turnpike Off-licence, in London Road, Leigh, when a Volkswagen Golf ran over her face on March 27.

They included a torn liver, a broken leg, a fractured cheek, a fractured eye socket and a fractured shoulder blade.

Basildon Crown Court heard that her baby, Srinisha, was born healthy by Caesarean last month.

Peter Clarke, prosecuting, said Mrs Ajanraj pursued two men out of the shop who had tried to use a stolen bank card.

She grabbed the driver’s door handle of the Volkswagen, which was being driven by Rico Dupres, 26, of Anderson Close, Enfield.

Stomach-churning CCTV footage played to the court showed Mrs Ajanraj being dragged under the car as it reversed. Dupres continued the manoeuvre and drove off.

Mr Clarke said: “At the point at which the defendant made the decision to leave the scene the lady was actually sitting up. It was miraculous in the circumstances.”

Dupres admitted causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.

Echo:

Mrs Ajanraj was seven months pregnant at the time, and although the baby was unharmed Mr Clarke said it was initially feared that she might lose it.

In a victim impact statement she said: “As it happened I thought I was going to die. When the car went over me I was in excruciating pain all over. I was worried not only for myself but for the unborn baby.”

Mrs Ajanraj was later told the damage to her liver might result in needing a termination.

Mr Clarke said: “The distress and trauma were there until the baby was born. She says if she hears a fast car she has flashbacks and she fears that her life will never be the same.”

He said Mrs Ajanraj and her husband Thangasaran, 35, from High Road, Benfleet, are now facing considerable financial hardship because she is unable to work.

Peter Molineux, mitigating, said Dupres “could not be more remorseful”.

He said: “There is no getting away from the fact that what happened was absolutely shocking. He didn’t know she was pregnant at the time and is thankful the child is now well and he wishes them both well as mother recovers and baby grows up.”

Mr Molineux said Dupres is also a father, has no previous convictions and is in a “loving relationship”.

Judge David Pugh jailed him for three years and disqualified him for four-and-a-half years.

He said: “You callously drove off knowing you had run over her without any thought for the injuries that you may have caused.”

Following the sentencing, Det Insp Stuart Truss, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This incident and the actions of Dupres are shocking and reprehensible beyond words.

“The pregnant victim was trying to protect her livelihood and her bravery is commendable. But Dupres showed absolutely no regard for her life, or that of her unborn baby, simply running her over in his vehicle before fleeing the scene.

“It is only through luck that the victim and her child survived. I am delighted that her baby was born safe and well and I hope today’s sentence now allows the victim and her family to enjoy their new arrival and move on with their lives.”

Mrs Ajanraj said: “Following this incident I have been left extremely worried and distressed.

“I am still unable to walk and am in constant pain every day. My family and I are also suffering financially.

“I think those responsible for my injuries are very cruel and it upsets me greatly that anyone could do this to another human being.”