A terrifying carjacking spree across 1 and Solihull has been smashed shut. Damien Scarlett, 36, from Wythall, has been slammed with a hefty 16-year jail term for holding drivers at gunpoint and snatching their cars.
Snatched Cars and Shaken Victims
Scarlett’s daylight rampage made headlines after a brazen carjacking in Hall Green, where a man was forced from his vehicle in front of his young family. Police soon chased down one stolen car running false plates. Officers spotted a gun tossed from the vehicle — later confirmed as a real, working firearm.
The investigation uncovered two more attacks in broad daylight: one near Earlswood Lakes and another in Solihull, where a terrified woman was threatened and forced to hand over her keys.
How Police Cracked the Case
West Midlands Police launched a fierce operation, joining neighbourhood crime officers with intelligence and roads policing units to halt Scarlett’s crime spree. He was finally caught in March 2024 after being pulled over, leading to his arrest.
Scarlett faced three counts of robbery, three counts of firearm possession, plus dangerous driving. Despite denying all charges, Birmingham Crown Court convicted him after trial.
Justice Served — Streets Safer Now
On Tuesday, 30 September, Scarlett was locked up for 16 years, with an extra four years on licence. The community can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
This sentence reflects the serious nature of Scarlett’s offences and the threat he posed,” said a West Midlands Police spokesperson.
