Boozed-up Barnsley criminal crashed into drivers on "utterly crazy" joyride and exposed himself to police
“This behaviour in a public street was appalling”
A boozed-up criminal crashed into other drivers on a crazed joyride, before exposing himself and attacking police officers.
John Robinson, aged 45, began his crime spree by making off in a black Vauxhall Mokka after the owner got out of the car to check a noise at the rear of his vehicle.
Robinson had consumed an entire bottle of whisky immediately beforehand, Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 2, 2026.
After taking the car, Robinson drove off at speed and in such a dangerous manner that a member of the public felt compelled to follow him and tell police what was happening.
Oishee Dey, prosecuting, told the court that Robinson, who does not hold a driving licence, drove on the wrong side of the road and with the driver’s side door open while travelling at speed.
He crashed into a number of other cars.
Ms Dey said the vehicle eventually became so badly damaged that Robinson was forced to stop.
Robinson’s own barrister, Richard Barradell, described the driving as “utterly crazy” and admitted his client was “lucky he didn’t kill anyone”.
Robinson was arrested at the scene.
Despite the police investigation into that matter, Robinson was out on the streets and offending whilst intoxicated just five months later, the court heard.
Ms Dey said that Robinson repeatedly shouted “Claire” outside a stranger’s house, exposed himself multiple times, and squatted on the floor, while his trousers and underwear were around his ankles.
Judge David Dixon described Robinson’s behaviour during the incident as “disgusting and heinous”.
“This behaviour in a public street was appalling. You were giving every indication you are going to perform a heinous act in a public place in full view of people,” he said.
Robinson also proceeded to bang his head against the ground multiple times, and was arrested at the scene.
The court heard how the defendant assaulted police officers whilst in custody over both incidents.
Robinson pleaded guilty to offences of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, using a motor vehicle without insurance, outraging public decency and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker at an earlier hearing.
Ms Dey told the court that Robinson has a criminal record spanning 46 offences from 25 previous convictions, with 15 entries for theft and kindred offences along with a number of other driving matters.
Mr Barradell described Robinson, of Masons Way, Kendray, Barnsley, as someone who has previously struggled with drink and drug issues, but more recently, his alcohol dependency has become more heightened.
He said Robinson was “plastered” at the time of both sets of offences, but despite the contents of his pre-sentence report, now accepts he is an alcoholic.
Jailing Robinson for 26 months, Judge David Dixon said he did not “see a scope for rehabilitation” in his case.
Judge Dixon also handed Robinson a 35-month driving ban.