A MAN from Bangor who stole a woman’s van and then crashed it has been jailed.

Sion Williams, of Edmund Street, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court, sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court, today (November 7).

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to robbery, driving without insurance, failing to stop after a crash, and failing to report a crash.

Shortly after 11am on July 11, a woman was waiting in her van outside Ysbyty Gwynedd when Williams suddenly opened her door.

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Unprovoked and unknown to the woman, he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her onto the floor, striking her to the face and injuring her knee.

He stole her van and drove away from the hospital.

A paramedic came to help the woman who needed three stitches in her knee following the incident.

Shortly after, police received a 999 call reporting a crash Beddgelert; Williams had collided with a wall and ran away, leaving the victim’s van in the road.

Another emergency call came in to police a short time later to report that Williams had tried to enter the home of a 74-year-old woman, leaving her frightened and distressed.

Officers located Williams shortly after 2pm at Cefn Maes where he was arrested and later remanded in custody.

He was jailed today for three years and four months.

Civilian Investigator Stephen Williams said: “This was a particularly nasty crime on a vulnerable lone woman in broad daylight hours in hospital grounds where she should have been safe.

“The after-effects have had a significant impact on her and her family, and it will take them a long time to move on from Williams’ violent actions.

“It is lucky that these kinds of offence are incredibly rare, and we apprehended the suspect quickly.”