Judge praises brave bus-driver who thwarted homeless street robber in Sheffield

Sheffield Crown Court heard on May 4 how Donovan Gaskin, aged 35, of no fixed abode, had received a donation of money from the woman before he barged into her and stole her purse at about 8.50am, on March 27, on Norfolk Row, in Sheffield city centre.

Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, said; “She was a cleaner returning from work and he approached her and asked for money and she took her purse out and gave him two 50p pieces and he asked for more and barged into her and grabbed her purse and tried to make-off.”

However, Mr Sharp added that a bus-driver ran after Gaskin and took him to the ground before the defendant swung at him with a syringe scratching his hand.

He added: “The defendant struggled and took an uncapped syringe and swung it at the bus-driver and understandably he let go of the defendant and he did not realise he had made contact with the back of his hand.”Others gathered and the defendant started waving the syringe, according to Mr Sharp.

Mr Sharp added: “He started making stabbing gestures and said, ‘I’ve got hepatitis, corona and AIDS. I don’t care. I will stab you’.”

He said witnesses followed Gaskin down Norfolk Row and he dropped the purse and he turned and brandished the syringe threatening to stab those following.

Gaskin, who has previous convictions, was arrested and pleaded guilty to robbery and affray.

Richard Canning, defending, said the coronavirus lockdown meant the number of people donating money on the streets for homeless people had fallen and Gaskin had found himself in an incredibly desperate situation without help.

Judge Graham Reeds QC said the bus-driver had shown “considerable bravery” when he followed Gaskin with others despite being threatened with a syringe.

He sentenced Gaskin to three-years and eight-months of custody.

Judge Reeds also fixed a further hearing on September 22 to consider imposing a Criminal Behaviour Order which could ban Gaskin from Sheffield city centre.