Birmingham driver held at knifepoint as they fixed their car at the side of a road in Northfield

A Birmingham driver was threatened at knifepoint by Akram Ibrar before his car was stolen from the side of a road.

Ibrar approached his victim as they were fixing their car on Wychall Road, Northfield, saying he was a mechanic and could help. But instead, once the motorist had got the car started, Ibrar took a knife from his waistband and threatened them into handing over the car keys.

Ibrar drove away in the car, but investigators tracked him down when he tried using one of his victim's bank cards which had been left in a wallet in the vehicle.

Officers retrieved CCTV footage as the 42-year-old attempted to use the card about two hours later, and Ibrar was arrested after officers recognised him from the footage.

When Ibrar, formerly of Whitmore Road, in Small Heath, appeared before Birmingham Crown Court, he admitted the robbery which he’d committed on 15 January, 2022. On Friday (February 2) he was jailed for five years and 10 months.

DC Claire Smith from Birmingham's Major Crime Team, said: “Robbery is a priority for us as we understand just how severe an impact being threatened and having your belongings stolen can have. We know it’s a deeply upsetting crime and we are committed to identifying and tracing those who carry out such offences.”