Dashcam footage as banned driver reversed into police on M4
'The utterly reckless and selfish driving which you displayed involved doing anything and everything to try to get away,' said Recorder Andrew Hammond as he jailed the defendant.
Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said a police officer in an unmarked car spotted a Skoda Octavia driving on Malpas Road in Newport at around 2.20am. The car's front and rear number plates didn't match, and the officer suspected the vehicle had been stolen.
A stinger was deployed near Malpas Fire Station, and this punctured the car's front tyres. However, Robjohn continued up the slip road and on to the westbound M4.
On the motorway, a number of police vehicles boxed Robjohn in against the central barrier and brought him to a stop.
As one officer got out to arrest him, Robjohn revved his engine, reversed, and 'collided heavily' with the police car behind, Mr Gobir said.
The officer arrested the defendant – who was on his phone. Checks revealed Robjohn was disqualified at the time, meaning he also had no insurance.
Inside the car, officers found tools worth a total of £1,133.08 which had been stolen from B&Q in Cwmbran.
Robjohn admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, fraudulent use of registration plates, and handling stolen goods.
Christian Robjohn tried to outrun the police on the M4 despite having two punctured tyres. (Image: Gwent Police)
The defendant also admitted burglaries at three businesses in Cardiff on September 30, 2023, and breaching bail by failing to attend court.
Mr Gobir said the managers of B&M and PureGym on Excelsior industrial estate in Cardiff and B&M in Pentwyn all received messages reporting break-ins at the stores.
Robjohn and his co-defendant David Large used a Citroen Berlingo van to 'ram raid' the businesses, but they were both caught at the scene in Pentwyn.
The court heard 43-year-old Large, of Ellwood Close in Trowbridge was sentenced to a community order for the burglaries.
Mr Gobir said the defendant had 24 previous convictions for 50 offences, and that he had 'a very bad driving record'.
Robjohn's defence counsel said his best mitigation for the driving offences was his guilty pleas.
He said the 39-year-old defendant had viewed these proceedings as a wake-up call, and told him: 'I'm finished. I'm going to look after my family from now on and do the right thing'.
The court heard that the defendant had already served the equivalent to a 21-month sentence in custody awaiting sentence and on licence.
Robjohn, of Wakehurst Place in St Mellons, was jailed for a total of 21 months, meaning he will be released from prison imminently. He was banned from driving for three years, and must pass an extended retest.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
Armed police called as man rushed to hospital after attack
Armed police called as man rushed to hospital after attack A 40-year-old woman from Cwmbran has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident Armed police rushed to a Welsh town after a man was allegedly assaulted. A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident in Cwmbran. Officers from Gwent Police were called to reports of an assault in the town at around 10.45pm. Specially-trained firearms officers rushed to the scene "as a precaution", Gwent Police said. The victim, a man from Cwmbran, was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries not thought to be life-threatening. Officers carried out inquiries in the area and a 40-year-old women from Cwmbran was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. She remains in police custody at this time. A spokesman for Gwent Police said there will be an increased police presence in the town while officers carry out their inquiries. Article continues below They are appealing for anyone with information that could help with the investigation to come forward. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here . Superintendent Sam Payne, senior investigating officer, said on Sunday morning: "We understand that incidents of violence in our communities can be upsetting and unsettling. "I want to reassure people that we do not believe there is a risk to the wider community and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this alleged assault. "You may see an increased police presence in the Cwmbran area while our onquires are carried out. If you have any concerns or information please do stop and talk to us. 'We're also appealing for anyone who has any information which could assist us to get in touch with us." Gwent Police can be contacted via their website, by calling 101, or by sending a direct message to the Facebook or X social media accounts quoting log 2500222327. Article continues below You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, with information on 0800 555 111 or via their website.
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Legal firm behind M&S class action welcomes suspected hackers arrests
It comes after four people were arrested for their suspected involvement in the damaging cyber-attacks against M&S, the Co-op and Harrods. THE legal firm behind a class action against Marks & Spencer say customers need compensation to see real justice after four suspected hackers were arrested. The Sunday Mail told how Thompsons Solicitors are leading a class action against M&S for people who fear their personal information has been stolen. Hackers obtained customer and staff information that could include home addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and online ordering histories of millions of people in a cyber attack in April. Last week four people were arrested for their suspected involvement in the damaging cyber-attacks against M&S, the Co-op and Harrods. Patrick Mcguire, a Thompsons partner, welcomed the arrests but said it will take financial redress for customers to see any real justice. He added: 'Their loyal customers feel heavily let down by their failures, they are entitled to compensation. 'The only way they can obtain financial justice is through a class action and not through these arrests.' The National Crime Agency said the individuals were arrested on suspicion of blackmail, money laundering, offences linked to the Computer Misuse Act and participating in the activities of an organised crime group. One of the suspects is a 19-year-old man from Latvia while the rest are from the UK. Industry experts have estimated the total bill for UK claims could top £100million. An M&S spokesperson said: 'We wrote to our customers as soon as we could in relation to their personal data, making clear that no useable card or payment details or account passwords had been extracted during the cyber incident.'
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly drug-driver jailed for series of driving offences
Newport Crown Court heard witnesses saw Neo Maguire 'struggling to stand up' as he staggered towards his Ford Ka in Trethomas on November 16. Within minutes, police located Maguire – who was driving 'erratically' – and he turned into a dead-end road. Maguire tried to flee on foot, leaving his passenger in the car, but was tackled to the ground by an officer and was arrested. When searched, cannabis was found in his wallet. Maguire was taken to hospital, and blood tests revealed he had 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine - the main metabolite of cocaine - per litre (µg/L) of blood. There was also THC present. The prosecution said this was 'nearly five times the limit' for benzoylecgonine, which is 50µg/L. Checks also revealed Maguire was disqualified from driving and had no insurance. He was released under investigation. Weeks later, at around 9.45am on January 12, police attended Nantgarw Road in Caerphilly following reports of a man asleep inside a car with the engine running who couldn't be woken. Officers attended, and Maguire eventually woke up. However he was slurring his words and couldn't get out of the car. The defendant was slightly over the drink-drive limit in a roadside test, but was under the limit when he was breathalysed at the police station. He refused to take a drugs test, and told officers 'I don't care. I'm f***** anyway' before adding that he was an alcoholic. Due to his issues with cocaine, Maguire was referred to an assessment with the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service on January 27. However, he failed to show up. Neo Maguire was driving under the influence in Caerphilly. (Image: Gwent Police) Maguire pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, driving whilst unfit through drugs, being in charge of a vehicle whilst unfit through drink or drugs, driving without a licence, two offences of driving with no insurance, possession of cannabis, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He also admitted failing to attend a follow-up drug assessment. The court heard that Maguire, 24, of Keble Court in Graig-Y-Rhacca, had three previous convictions for six offences – including dangerous driving in 2021 and 2024 despite never passing his driving test. 'He's pragmatic about his position,' said Alice Sykes, mitigating. 'His relatively young life has been blighted by alcoholism.' Ms Sykes said Maguire had been working to address his issues with alcohol, and had completed a previous alcohol treatment requirement. The court heard the defendant was subject to a suspended sentence at the time of these latest offences. 'Within only five months of that sentence, you committed more driving offences,' said Judge Carl Harrison. Maguire was jailed for a total of 30 weeks.
