Hammer wielding thug took two women hostage at bail hostel and snatched their phones

Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 11 how John Shellard, aged 30, of Ridge Road, Eastwood, Rotherham, admitted a series of related offences including robbery and kidnapping at the Rookwood Approved Premises, on Doncaster Road, Rotherham.

Recorder David Gordon said Shellard had demanded money from a fellow-resident at the hostel on December 12, 2020, before he armed himself with a claw-hammer and demanded the other resident open the door and the defendant pushed into the building.

Shellard then forced two female probation officers into an office, according to Recorder Gordon, and demanded money.

Recorder Gordon told Shellard: “There must have been a degree of planning because there was the hammer which you quite deliberately armed yourself with.”

The court heard the fellow-resident grabbed a pool cue to help the probation officers but one of them gestured for him to leave him and he pressed a panic button.

Recorder Gordon said Shellard smashed a screen and demanded money and told the women he was being recalled to prison relating to a prior conviction.

Shellard forced the probation officers into a back office and made one of them open a safe and he took cash and keys and demanded car keys from the women, according to Recorder Gordon, before leading them to a front office where he took more money and mobile phones.

Recorder Gordon added Shellard also smashed a CCTV monitor and phones and told one of the women she was going to drive him to Scarborough.

However, police arrived and pursued Shellard, according to Recorder Gordon, and the defendant attempted to headbutt a police officer.

Shellard, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to affray, two counts of robbery, kidnapping, causing damage, possessing an offensive weapon and assaulting a police officer.

Matthew Burdon, defending, said Shellard who is addressing drug and alcohol problems has shown victim empathy and although serious violence was threatened none was used.

He added: “He would welcome the opportunity to try and change his behaviour and live a normal life.”

Recorder Gordon sentenced Shellard to six years and nine months of custody.

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