A car-jacker who pounced on a lone woman motorist and dragged her from her vehicle has been jailed for five years.

Jason Boyle was suffering delusions of panic from alcohol withdrawal when he ambushed terrified Shabana Mahmood.

He flung open the driver's door when she halted on Duckworth Road, Little Horton, at 6.30pm on March 9 this year, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

The 36-year-old, who is 6ft 4ins tall, ordered slightly-built Miss Mahmood, 22, to get out of her Kia hatchback.

Boyle, of Windermere Crescent, Doncaster, believed he was being persecuted and chased, the court heard. Miss Mahmood said Boyle waved what she believed was a knife in front of her face. It had a three-inch blade and she was very frightened.

Boyle pulled her from the car and sped off, the court heard. He gave himself up to police three hours later.

Boyle admitted robbery when he appeared in court on June 23 but denied having a knife.

The court heard he was convicted of attempted robbery at Doncaster Crown Court in September 1990. He went into a garage with a note stating: "I have a gun, give me your money."

Boyle told the court he was ashamed of his behaviour towards Miss Mahmood.

He said he had been drinking heavily leading up to the robbery, sometimes consuming six litres of cider a day.

The court heard he suddenly cut back his alcohol intake and may have been in a pathological state where he believed he was being chased.

Boyle's barrister James Bourne-Arton conceded that it had been a terrifying experience for Miss Mahmood.

"He fully understands the horror he must have caused," he told the court.

Mr Bourne-Arton said Boyle had been frank with the police and was suffering delusions when he committed the offence.

Recorder of Bradford Judge Stephen Gullick QC praised Miss Mahmood for putting up "a spirited resistance".

The judge branded it an "extremely serious and very frightening experience for a single woman in her car."

After the hearing, Detective Inspector Gerry O'Shea, of Bradford North CID, said: "This must have been a terrifying experience for the young lady who was threatened and physically forced from her car.

"I welcome the lengthy sentence and hope it will act as a deterrent to others."

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