An image has been released of a much-loved grandfather who died after being pushed by a driver while he was on his way to get a coffee. Pensioner Neil Robinson, 75, had been crossing Ranson Road, Chilwell, on December 16, 2021, when he was assaulted.
Mr Robinson was pushed to the ground by drunk driver James Gill, who at the time was on bail for violence in Sheffield. It was reported that Mr Gill was a motorist "purposefully" swerving his car in the direction of Mr Robinson, who had been walking around the back of a parked bus and "only just managed to jump back and avoid being hit."
The pensioner shouted at Mr Gill for being on the wrong side of the road, who then got out of his car and pushed Mr Robinson. He had no time to break his fall, and later died from a head injury in hospital six days later, on his grandson's ninth birthday. Mr Gill was jailed for nine years by Nottingham Crown Court, on Friday, July 22, for the manslaughter of Mr Robinson after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.
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Mr Robinson was a cherished father and grandfather, who often walked around the nature reserve, had coffee with friends, or read. He died six days after the attack. When his son, Dr Benjamin Robinson, went to his apartment two days after his death, he found a pile of Christmas presents on the table ready to be wrapped, as well as a card and presents for his grandson's birthday.
A statement written by Dr Robinson was read in court, and stated: "I remember the anger, though, my father wasn't there, wasn't able to spend time with his family, his grandchildren. That he would never be there again.
"That anger still burns. My father's death has made me do something I promised I would never do; I lied to my children.
"At six and nine, how can I tell them how their grandad died? How can they ever feel safe walking around knowing something horrific can happen at random."
This tragedy was just one of many offences committed by Gill, who is a convicted drink driver, robber and thug. Earlier in December 2021, he was asked to leave a bar in Sheffield city centre for annoying other customers and smashed a glass on the table, and was restrained by a group of men whilst the police were called.
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