Retired rally champion had his car stolen while he was paying for petrol

Richard Hill, aged 71, happened to leave his keys in the Kia Picanto in order to pay at the forecourt kiosk meters however was forced to go inside due to the fact that the external counter was closed.

A thief stroked and sped off in the car. The whole event was captured on CCTV at the Birches Bridge Esso station in Wolverhampton Road, Bilbrook. Staffordshire Police are examining the theft on May 4.

Hill, a successful racing motorist who more than 100 races across numerous disciplines throughout the 1960s and early 1970s before retiring 40 years back, said losing the vehicle had been difficult to swallow.

“My advice to everybody would be do not leave your keys in the vehicle at any time,” stated Mr Hill. “It is a lesson I have discovered the hard way, costing me ₤ 5,000 as my insurance company is refusing to pay.”

A police spokesperson said: “This seems an opportunistic theft. There have actually been no arrests and we continue to investigate.”