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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Mark Cardwell

Woman blinded in one eye after teenage carjacker battered skull with hammer

A young woman suffered horrific injuries when a teenage carjacker battered her with a hammer.

Majid Ali attacked Blythe Mason-Boyle as she got into her car after leaving the gym.

The 24-year-old customer services assistant suffered a smashed skull and was left blind in one eye following the brutal barrage at 8pm on March 19 last year.

Ali repeatedly smashed Blythe in the head after ambushing her in a bid to steal her Audi A1 in Sheldon, West Midlands.

Detectives traced the stolen car within 24 hours and Ali - who was just 17 at the time - was identified as the prime suspect.

Ali has been jailed for nine years (SWNS)

A warrant was executed at his home and the hammer was found hidden underneath a sofa bed.

He denied robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and wounding, but was found guilty following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Ali, now 18 of Sparkhill, Birmingham, was jailed for nine years today as police released shocking images of Blythe's blooded face.

The ferocious attack left her with cuts across her face and a fractured eye socket.

She now struggles to see clearly through one eye and also receives counselling to overcome the trauma of her ordeal.

After the trial she said: "This has been a challenging and frustrating ten 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."

After the attack, Blythe posted pictures of her injuries on Facebook in a bid 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 went viral after it was viewed and shared more than 30,000 times online.

Detective Constable Rebecca Woodcock, of West Midlands Police, 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."

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