A FATHER-of-two from Woolston died from horrific injuries as he tried to protect his shop from petty thieves.

Devoted husband Stephen Postlethwaite was dragged for 400 yards as he tried to prevent a speeding van from fleeing with machinery from the forecourt of The Hire Shop, in Urmston.

He had clung onto the van's bumper as the thieves' van, driven by 47-year-old Keith Edgar, sped away from the scene. Edgar ignored the shouts of horrified onlookers and continued to race away as other motorists flashed their lights at him to stop. When the vehicle reached speeds of around 70mph, Mr Postlethwaite's body was "spat out" from underneath the van, Manchester Crown Court was told.

The court also heard how Edgar was offered a £30 reward to drive the getaway van.

Mr Postlethwaite was rushed to hospital, suffering from fractures to his skull, pelvis, ribs, right leg and an arm. He died five days later.

This week Edgar, of Bowness Road, Middleton, who admitted a charge of manslaughter of Mr Postlethwaite, was starting a 10-year jail sentence.

Henry Globe QC, prosecuting, told the court how Mr Postlethwaite's widow Kathryn had been devastated by his killing. In a statement she described how the whole family had been left suffering "an enormous emotional loss".

Mr Postlethwaite, aged 40, was a keen rugby and football fan, the court was told, and had set up his own business, in Urmston, about 15 years ago.

Mr Globe said that on the day of his death, Mr Postlethwaite was working at the shop when a gang decided to steal machinery from the forecourt. He ran from the shop, in an attempt to stop the van, but it smashed into him. He clung onto the bonnet, with his body mostly under the vehicle, as the van moved away.

David Lane QC, defending, said Edgar was "deeply remorseful" for what happened and had not intended to seriously hurt or kill Mr Postlethwaite.

Edgar was paid just £30 for agreeing to drive the van, said Mr Lane, and had panicked when his accomplices had urged him to keep on driving.