Jail for Rotherham machete robber

A ROTHERHAM man has been caged for four years after pleading guilty to two robberies where the victims were threatened with a machete.

Bradley Gaskin (20) from Rotherham appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on June 17 to be sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery at an earlier hearing.

Alongside Gaskin was a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery and will be sentenced in September.

In the early hours of December 16 last year, Gaskin robbed a disabled woman and her carer in Doncaster.

Gaskin, holding a machete, threatened the women when they were leaving their car.

He initially tried to get their car keys before demanding they give him their phones.

One of the victims threw her mobile phone at Gaskin, who then ran from the scene.

The following day, Gaskin and the 17-year-old threatened a man and a woman with a machete in Market Place in Doncaster, demanding they hand over their cash.

After taking around £20 from the man, Gaskin and his accomplice left the scene.

PC Mary Glenwright said: “I am pleased that both offenders admitted their guilt in these robberies, which was very upsetting for the victims in each case.

“Gaskin used a knife to intimidate and cause further distress to his victims, and it is lucky that nobody sustained any injuries during either incident.

“I hope the sentencing today reassures the victims and provides them with some closure.”