A FARMER has spoken of his family's terrifying ordeal after they were nearly mown down by thieves fleeing with their Land Rover.

David Chick, aged 36, was forced to dive for safety as he battled to stop the accelerating vehicle from reversing into him during the drama at the Sturminster Marshall home of Poole Pirates boss Neil Middleditch.

Mr Chick's wife Stephanie, 34, and the couple's four-year-old daughter Jessica, watched in horror as he screamed at the driver to stop.

The incident happened around 12.30pm on Thursday when the family went to the Bailey House retail warehouse, with their green Land Rover 90 TD5 and trailer to collect a garden shed.

Speaking from the family home at Manor Farm, Sixpenny Handley, Mr Chick told the Daily Echo: "We got out and went to ask Neil where we had to go. We were only about five metres from the vehicle and as we were talking we heard the ignition start.

"I ran towards the Land Rover and saw this guy in the driver's seat and another one unhitching the trailer.

"As I got around to the back the second man got in and they started reversing towards me. I slammed my hands on the back door shouting at them to stop but they just kept accelerating, knowing I was right behind them.

"I started stumbling as it came back and had to dive to one side.

"It then skidded round in the drive, almost hitting Steph and Jess before speeding off down the drive to the main road."

Mr Middleditch, 47, who owns the warehouse, gave chase with a garden rake and tried to cut the thieves off in his driveway but they managed to get away onto the A31.

Mr Chick said: "It was horrific and very frightening. These thugs were totally ruthless and didn't care what they did to achieve their goal. We are just so relieved Jess wasn't asleep in her car seat at the time."

Mr Middleditch added: "It was lucky no one was killed. The poor little girl was terrified."

The Dorset Police helicopter was scrambled to search for the W-registered green Land Rover but it has not been traced.

It is believed to have gone through Ferndown and was last seen heading towards Hurn.

The two men were both in their thirties and wearing blue fleece tops and jeans. They had dark, short hair.

Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact Dorset Police on 01202 222500 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

First published: Oct 16