The Times, John Simpson, 24 May 2014.

A learner driver has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out a carjacking on his instructor during a lesson.

The young man allegedly pulled over, punched his instructor and got out of the car when he was asked to pay off outstanding debts during a lesson in Handsworth, Birmingham.

When his instructor, 56, also left the car and tried to call the police, the younger man allegedly returned and began punching and kicking him before demanding the keys to the driving school’s Nissan Note and driving off in it. He is accused of stealing his instructor’s mobile phone.

The alleged victim was not seriously injured. Police said that the car had not been recovered.

A 22-year-old man was arrested at home at 6am yesterday and was being questioned by detectives from West Midlands police.

Detective Constable Darren Wilkie said: “The man owed money for earlier lessons and when the instructor asked for payment, his student responded aggressively. The instructor suffered just cuts and bruises but was understandably shocked.”