A man and woman from Wolverhampton have been found guilty of a brutal and callous attack in which a vehicle was used as a weapon to deliberately run over a victim twice, before he was robbed as he lay seriously injured.
Horrific Details of the Attack Emerge
The violent incident unfolded on July 2, 2025, in the Scotlands area of Wolverhampton. Emergency services were called to Pope Road at around 2.20pm after reports of a severe collision. Paramedics discovered a 42-year-old man with life-threatening injuries to his legs, ribs, and shoulder, and he was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
An investigation by West Midlands Police quickly revealed this was no accident. The driver, 46-year-old Melvin Winters, had intentionally struck the victim with his black Vauxhall Insignia following an argument. In a shocking act of further violence, he then circled back and ran over the man a second time while he was incapacitated on the ground.
A Callous Robbery on the Pavement
As the victim lay bleeding on the pavement, Winters' girlfriend, 32-year-old Josie James, who was a passenger in the car, stepped out. She offered no medical assistance. Instead, she approached the stricken man and robbed him of the gold chain he was wearing.
The pair then fled the scene together in the vehicle, abandoning the victim. Police later recovered the abandoned Vauxhall Insignia in nearby Masefield Mews at 3.05pm that same day.
Justice Served After Trial
Police identified and arrested both suspects from separate addresses on July 5, 2025. Despite overwhelming evidence, including forensic analysis and CCTV footage, Winters denied attempted murder and both pleaded not guilty to robbery, forcing the case to trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, a jury saw through their claims and found both defendants guilty on all counts. Detective Constable Reece Markham of the Major Crime Unit condemned the pair's actions, stating that using a car as a weapon is a horrendous act that could easily have killed the victim, made worse by the cruel robbery that followed.
Melvin Winters and Josie James, both of Bushbury, have been remanded in custody. They are scheduled to return to Wolverhampton Crown Court for sentencing on February 10, 2026, where they face substantial prison terms for their roles in this appalling crime. The victim continues on his long road to recovery.
