Woman nearly blinded in one eye after teenage carjacker battered her with hammer
30 January 2020, 22:43
WARNING contains distressing image
Violent car-jacker Majid Ali was jailed for nine years today
A teenage car-jacker who left a young woman with permanent sight damage in a brutal hammer attack has been jailed.
Majid Ali, 18, repeatedly struck Blythe Mason-Boyle across the head before taking her Audi A1 from Coventry Road, Sheldon, Birmingham, in March last year.
The 24-year-old victim suffered cuts to her face and a fractured eye socket as she got back in her car after leaving the gym.
Police shared a shocking image of her injuries after Ali was sentenced.
Miss Mason-Boyle now struggles to see clearly through one eye and has also received counselling to overcome the trauma of her ordeal.
Detectives managed to trace the stolen car within 24 hours and Ali, who was just 17 at the time, was identified as the prime suspect.
A warrant was later executed at his home and the hammer was found hidden underneath a sofa bed.
Ali, of Mountford Street, Sparkhill, Birmingham, denied robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and wounding but was convicted following a trial at the city's Crown Court, and was sentenced on Thursday.
In a statement released by police, Miss Mason-Boyle said: "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."
Blythe posted pictures of her injuries online after the attack to warn others to take care while walking across car parks at night.
She wrote: "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!"
Her post was shared more than 30,000 times online.
Commenting on the inquiry, Detective Constable Rebecca Woodcock said: "This was 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 streets."
