Man jailed for 25 years after Sheffield carjacking rampage
The 45 year old has been sentenced over the incident in 2022 - as well as for assaulting his own lawyer
A man who carried out a violent carjacking spree in Sheffield has been jailed for 25 years.
Gavin Bennett, 45, went on a rampage in 2022, terrorising drivers and injuring officers during his violent spree on Penistone Road.
Driving a BMW, Bennett collided with a Vauxhall Corsa after running a red light, leaving the people inside the other car seriously injured.
After fleeing the crashed BMW, Bennett went on to menace other drivers with what he claimed was a gun.
His spree included threatening a mother and daughter, stealing their car, and driving against traffic on the wrong side of a carriageway.
Bennett later returned to the scene of the crime in an attempt to destroy evidence by setting the crashed BMW on dire.
He then droved a stolen VW Tiguan at officers, with one being hit and injured.
The officer managed to find cover which may have saved his life, while Bennett later abandoned and burned out the stolen Tiguan near Northern General Hospital.
Forensic analysis of the BMW's airbags uncovered Bennett’s DNA, leading to his arrest.
Despite remaining silent during questioning, Bennett was charged and remanded.
While awaiting trial, Bennett attacked his barrister, and chose to represent himself in court.
On March 19, Bennett was found guilty of eight offences, including robbery, possession of an imitation firearm with intent, dangerous driving, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and handling stolen goods.
He also admitted assaulting his laywer.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles of South Yorkshire Police said: “Bennett’s behaviour throughout this incident was utterly abhorrent."
"He showed a complete disregard for human life. He terrorised innocent people, used a firearm to intimidate drivers and twice used vehicles as weapons against officers."
"The outcome for those officers could have been tragically different, and it is only through quick thinking and sheer luck that we weren’t dealing with far greater injuries or even the death of officers."
"Officers run towards danger, they put the safety of their community above their own, it’s what defines our frontline as the epitome of police officers, but they are human, they have families and children and loved ones, and they deserve to go home safe at the end of their shift."
"Today’s sentence reflects the extreme danger Bennett posed to the public and officers. I am pleased he is away from causing harm for a significant amount of time.”