OXFORD’S one-time most-wanted criminal began a long jail sentence this week after a “painstaking” police investigation.

Rohan Crooks ran over Orville ‘Dean’ Francis in Blackbird Leys in October 2008, but evaded capture until February this year.

The Jamaican-born 34-year-old, who fled the scene, was featured in witness appeals locally and in national newspapers including The Sun and on BBC 1’s Crimewatch programme.

He was unveiled as the number one target for police on Christmas Eve 2010 at the conclusion of the Oxford Mail’s ‘Badvent’ calendar.

Crooks was jailed on Monday for nine-and-a-half years after jurors convicted him of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was cleared of attempted murder and had earlier admitted dangerous driving.

Mr Justice Andrew Nicol, who presided over the trial, said “police had painstakingly gathered evidence” to bring Crooks to justice.

Det Sgt John Lindsell, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a lengthy investigation and I would like to pay tribute to the victim and witnesses who have assisted police throughout.

“I have to pay particular tribute to the victim who suffered appalling injuries. It has to be acknowledged it must have been with some difficulty he related his evidence to the court.

“A car was used in this case in a manner that amounted to the use of a potentially lethal weapon. Although these terrible events took place in 2008 the search to find justice has continued throughout and the sentence of the court reflects the seriousness of the offence.”

Det Sgt Lindsell said he was unable to comment on the tactics used to track down Crooks, of Sturge Avenue, Walthamstow, but added: “At no stage was it (the case) filed, it remained an active inquiry. A lot of hard work by a number of officers was put in to this to bring it to its rightful conclusion.”

Crooks, of Sturge Avenue, Walthamstow, was also banned from driving for 10 years and will be considered for deportation.