'Road rage' killer James Gill was on bail for attacking police before he caused the death of 75-year-old Neil Robinson in Chilwell after pushing him. Mr Robinson crashed to the ground where he banged his head and died six days later.
But the tragedy was just one of a string of shocking offences committed by Gill. Earlier, in December, 2021, Gill visited All Bar One, Leopold Square, Sheffield city centre, but was asked to leave by a manager. Gill, a convicted drink driver, robber and thug, was annoying other customers.
He smashed a glass on the table and a group of men tried to restrain him as police were called, Nottingham Crown Court heard. The bar manager described Gill's behaviour as "unpredictable" - flipping between crying and becoming extremely aggressive - and he was escorted off the premises.
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Judge Stuart Rafferty QC, who jailed him for incidents in Yorkshire, and the manslaughter of frail Mr Robinson, said he left the pub with "self-righteous indignation booting the door" damaging an inner panel. Police officers Glenn Poole and Helen Balfour tried to restrain him but 39-year-old Gill was uncooperative, refusing to calm down and struggling with the officer as he tried to break free.
PC Poole described both Gill's eyes being glazed and he had a "wild expression" on his face, before he lashed out at PC Balfour, a foot shorter than him, striking her on her nose and damaging her glasses. Gill broke free from PC Poole's grip and hit him on his right cheek.
Gill ran away but PC Poole gave chase and restrained him. After Gill's arrest and "no comment" answers to questions, he was bailed, going on to commit, "a catalogue of carnage", said Judge Rafferty.
A sober Mr Robinson was trying to do no more than cross the road when Gill, drink-driving his black Kia Sorento in Ranson Road, Chilwell, was annoyed the pensioner was in the road. One witness had described Gill actually 'swerving' at the pensioner, a devoted dad and grandad.
Gill stopped and pushed Mr Robinson in the chest, propelling him backwards at a "real rate of knots", said the judge, and the pensioner went down with force, fracturing his skull which was to ultimately kill him. Gill returned to his two-day electrician's training course in Attenborough that day, December 16, 2021.
A witness had recalled the accused had arrived late that day and appeared to brag to others he had just come out of prison for assaulting a policeman and his partner's ex. He had described him as being animated and loud, constantly talking about violence and bigging himself up.
Gill attacked Mr Robinson on his half-hour lunchbreak. When he returned to the course, he continued to be disruptive and loud, and was asked to leave at about 2pm. He left behind a soft drinks bottle, later analysed and found to have red liquid consisting of 22% ethanol.
"After the defendant was ejected from the course, it is clear from the evidence ultimately gathered, he embarked on a rampage of violence and aggression," said Sarah Knight, prosecuting on Friday.
He shoplifted a bottle of Vodka, Ribena and chocolate from Lidl, Ransom Road, then encountered a mother and daughter in their car. They witnessed him throw a glass bottle out of the car window. The mum told him not to throw rubbish as it harms the environment.
Gill's response was: "I know littering is wrong but so is arson and I'm more than happy to set fire to your car". He blocked in their car.
The incident was witnessed by another driver who told the defendant he should let other people through as it was his own fault for throwing rubbish out of his car. Gill got out of his car and punched this driver in the face before driving off.
He filled up his car with fuel at a Doncaster service station at about 4.40pm, helped himself to some beer from the shop, and left without paying. He went on to drive into the back of two cars, before he was stopped by South Yorkshire Police at 5.30pm. A breath test showed he was more than twice the legal limit to drive.
READ MORE: Son's heartache over dad's death at hands of 'road rage' killer in Nottinghamshire
He hit two police officers after he was arrested and continued to be aggressive, even headbutting the van cage as he was transported to the police station.
His sentence for manslaughter was nine years, of which he will serve two-thirds. A consecutive sentence was handed down for assault, causing bodily harm, of 12 months.
Then nine months was imposed on two assaulting emergency worker charges, relating to the Sheffield matters, consecutive to the overall sentence. Concurrent sentences were imposed on remaining charges of causing criminal damage, theft, making off without payment, drink-driving. The headline sentence was ten years and nine months.
Gill was disqualified from driving for five years which will start when he is released.
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