Shocking moment fleeing shoplifter drives into farm worker caught on CCTV

CCTV captured the moment a fleeing shoplifter drove into a staff member trying to prevent his escape.

Alan Lewis, 58, from Goole, ploughed into the worker at Mainsgill Farmshop in Richmond, North Yorks on Saturday afternoon. The video, which was posted to Facebook by Mainsgill Farm Shop, has since been viewed more than 1M times online, YorkshireLive reports.

The footage shows a black Vauxhall Corsa approaching the half-closed gate where an employee is attempting to quickly shut the second metal fence. As the car drives forward, the employee stands in the way before being nudged along the road by the car, then at speed as the worker is carried away down the road clutching the bonnet.

READ MORE: Fugitive on FBI most wanted list caught in north Wales 'after more than 20 years on the run'

The shop confirmed the employee was not injured but feels 'shaken up' following the incident. The shop wrote: "This man is a repeating shop lifter!! He has just sped out of Mainsgill with Matthew on and under his bonnet as we tried to shut the gates!!" The video has been viewed 1.2million times at time of publication.

Lewis has since pleaded guilty to a number of offences including theft from a shop, two cases of driving while disqualified, two cases of using a vehicle without third party insurance and driving a motor vehicle dangerously, according to Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service.

He has been remanded in custody until the next hearing on December 17 at York Crown Court at 10.30am.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Over the weekend, you may seen some shocking video footage showing an incident at a farm shop near Richmond.

"We can update you that a man in his 50s from Goole has appeared at York Magistrates Court