Drugged-up thug went on terrifying rampage through Sheffield after hotel fight - before he was shot by police

A one-man crimewave went on a rampage armed with a shotgun and knives before he had to be shot by police.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 4 how James Cooke, aged 27, of White Lane, near Gleadless, Sheffield, was involved in a fracas at a hotel before he assaulted a motorist, threatened a man with a large knife, attacked another man in a cafe, attacked another victim at a petrol station and terrified a woman and a man in a park.

Judge Michael Slater told Cooke: “In short, those offences represented two to three hours on the morning of August 15 when you subjected numerous complainants to threats of violence or actual violence itself in the course of committing a litany of offences across Sheffield.

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"At the time you were under the influence of drugs. Your offending on that day was brought to an end by the professionalism and expertise of armed police officers who were deployed to apprehend you.”

James CookeJames Cooke
James Cooke

Zaiban Alam, prosecuting, said Cooke, who was homeless, had been staying at the Hampton by Hilton Hotel, on West Bar Green, Sheffield, when he had been told he could not have another person in his room.

Ms Alam added Cooke threw money at the manager, broke a screen, threw a plant, a bin, a sign, a computer monitor and struck a guest.

Cooke subsequently engaged in a conversation with a motorist near the Emergency Services Museum, at West Bar, before the defendant punched him, according to Ms Alam.

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Ms Alam said Cooke went to Lady’s Bridge where he approached another man and pulled out a blade which was described as being like a machete.

Pictured is James Cooke, aged 27, of White Lane, Sheffield, who has been sentenced to six years of custody after he admitted affray, causing grievous bodily harm, causing actual bodily harm, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and two counts of threatening behaviour with a bladed article.Pictured is James Cooke, aged 27, of White Lane, Sheffield, who has been sentenced to six years of custody after he admitted affray, causing grievous bodily harm, causing actual bodily harm, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and two counts of threatening behaviour with a bladed article.
Pictured is James Cooke, aged 27, of White Lane, Sheffield, who has been sentenced to six years of custody after he admitted affray, causing grievous bodily harm, causing actual bodily harm, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and two counts of threatening behaviour with a bladed article.

One witness stated she saw Cooke shouting before he pulled out a shotgun in the street.

Ms Alam said Cooke also went to a cafe on Lady’s Bridge where he was asked by a man to keep his distance but the defendant struck him in the face and lashed out as his victim fell and broke his ankle.

Cooke also pulled out a knife during this assault which the man described as a fillet knife.

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The defendant next travelled to a petrol station on City Road where he punched a customer who punched him back before Cooke pulled out a knife and a shotgun.

Police were forced to shoot serial offender James, Cooke, aged 27, of White Lane, Sheffield, with a rubber bullet at Manor Fields Park, pictured, off City Road, Sheffield.Police were forced to shoot serial offender James, Cooke, aged 27, of White Lane, Sheffield, with a rubber bullet at Manor Fields Park, pictured, off City Road, Sheffield.
Police were forced to shoot serial offender James, Cooke, aged 27, of White Lane, Sheffield, with a rubber bullet at Manor Fields Park, pictured, off City Road, Sheffield.

Another witness stated she saw Cooke at Manor Fields Park, off City Road, with the gun and a man was also told by Cooke he had a shotgun.

Ms Alam said police found Cooke in the park but as he advanced he had to be shot with a rubber bullet.

White, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to afrray, battery, causing grievous bodily harm, causing actual bodily harm, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and to two offences of threatening behaviour with a bladed article. He also admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply from February, 2019.

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Richard Barradell, defending, said Cooke, who is remorseful, had issues with a girlfriend from a criminal family and he was in debt to them and became homeless and started drug-offending.

He added the gun had not been loaded and the knives were not used to hurt anyone.

Judge Slater sentenced Cooke to six years of custody.