A convicted armed robber managed to speed off from police who discovered a gun in his car, despite being in handcuffs. Officers from Gwent Police pulled over John Robinson, 48, on November 30 last year after suspecting that the Mitsubishi Outlander he was driving was stolen. Inside the vehicle, they found what appeared to be a handgun, leading to Robinson's immediate arrest and handcuffing.
As officers radioed in the arrest and instructed him to exit the car, the seemingly nonchalant career criminal stamped on the accelerator and attempted to flee. However, Robinson—who has a criminal record of 37 previous convictions for 98 offences—did not get far before being recaptured by law enforcement.
Footage of his botched getaway was released after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and possession of an imitation firearm at Newport Crown Court. In the footage, the arresting officer can be heard stating he believed he had found a 'potentially stolen vehicle' as he tells Robinson: 'Just jump out of the vehicle for me, mate.' The crook grunts and responds, 'I'm disabled,' to which the officer says: 'That's fine, take your time.'
Robinson, still in handcuffs, makes a feigned effort to shuffle out of the car before grabbing the wheel and accelerating away. The policeman attempts to grab him and yank him out of the car but is struck by the driver's door and forced to retreat as the white SUV takes off with its doors and boot wide open. Police located him shortly thereafter.
Laurence Jones, prosecuting, said: 'He even told officers how hard it was driving in handcuffs.' The court heard that the 'realistic' looking firearm was actually a 'dysfunctional' pistol. Robinson, a grandfather and father of five, was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for three years following his release from custody. He must also sit an extended retest and pay a victim surcharge.
