‘Totally naked’ burglar stabbed taxi driver and mowed down man in violent city centre rampage
A “totally naked” man burgled a charity before stabbing a taxi driver,[1] stealing his vehicle and mowing down a man on a night out. Pablo Hernandez, 21, began his violent crime spree on January 18 last year when he was caught burgling the premises of Joanna Project – a Holbeck[2] charity aimed at helping and supporting women involved in sex work and addiction. Prosecutor Glen Parsons told Leeds Crown Court[3] on Monday that after an alarm went off, police attended and saw a naked Hernandez in the window.
He had broken in by throwing a rock at the glazed panel of a door. Mr Parsons said: “He entered with his hands in the air stating that he wanted to hand himself in. He was naked except for a chef’s apron he had stolen from the premises.
CCTV was reviewed and saw him arriving at the premises totally naked and climbing into the rear garden…He hadn’t stolen anything else from inside the property and nothing else had been damaged.” Hernandez – who refused to confirm his identity over a video link from custody when he appeared in court and stayed silent despite requests to confirm if he could hear the clerk – was arrested and interviewed. He maintained his right to silence and was released either on bail or under investigation, Mr Parsons said.
It was nine days later on January 27 that Hernandez, of Tall Trees, Moortown, targeted two taxi drivers – the first an Uber driver who had picked up a fare from Harehills[5] at around 9.30pm. Mr Parsons said: “He parked up and shortly afterwards he got a message saying he [the customer] was on his way. After a few minutes a man came running down the street at the rear of the taxi and got into the taxi.
An Uber taxi was stolen during the rampage (Image: Laura Dale/PA Wire)
“The driver turned to look at him and noted he had his right hand under his top and appeared to be gripping hold of something.
He [the driver] thought it may have been a gun. Then he heard the man say something like ‘I’m going to kill you.’ He produced a kitchen-type knife which was around 12 inches in length and had a black handle.” The court[6] heard Hernandez – who also goes by the name Roberto Taylor – started “swinging” the knife and then lunged at the driver.
He then rained a series of blows upon the taxi driver who was able to escape the car and flee to a nearby shop. Mr Parsons said: “He got to the shop and saw the defendant had got behind the wheel of the taxi and drove away in it.” The taxi driver was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he was treated for a number of stab wounds.
Aire Street in Leeds (Image: Google Maps)
It was said Hernandez then drove dangerously to Leeds city centre where in Aire street he collided with an Audi and then “jumped across” another car.
Mr Parsons said: “He mounted the pavement and collided with and knocked down a pedestrian. The man had been on a night out and was on his way back to the train station. He got an injury to his foot which had been run over.”
Hernandez then abandoned the vehicle and attempted to run away on foot before turning to another taxi whose driver was sat in traffic. Mr Parsons said: “He went to the driver’s door and opened it and ordered him to get out. When he [the driver] asked why the defendant punched him to the right side of his jaw in an attempt to get him out of the vehicle.
Despite being struck, the driver refused to get out and the defendant then ran off further down the street.” Several members of the public – including the friend who had been run over – gave chase. Hernandez then hit a man over the head with a bottle before he was arrested by British Transport Police officers.
He was interviewed and remained silent through the course of that. The court was told that at a plea, trial and preparation hearing Hernandez pleaded guilty to burglary of a non-dwelling, wounding with intent, theft of a vehicle, possession of a bladed article, dangerous driving, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of damaging property and attempted robbery. Mitigating, Craig Sutcliffe, told the court a psychiatric report had taken place and no pleas had been entered to the charges until it was found Hernandez was fit to plead.
He said Hernandez was initially found unfit to plead before that position changed after a second report. Mr Sutcliffe said Hernandez is of previous good character and added: “His family are here and support him and speak of these events as being as puzzling to them as they are to the court. At the time – and this is something you will apply to the guidelines – is that he was undoubtedly suffering a mental health episode at the time of the commission of these offences.”
Leeds Combined Courts, Leeds Crown Court
The court heard that Hernandez did not target Joanna Project.
Mr Sutcliffe said: “There is no suggestion it was a targeted incident and the extent to which was stolen from the premises is the apron which he was arrested wearing so perhaps an incident prevalent in his state of mental health which clearly began deteriorating in January last year, culminating in the offences of the 27th. “It would seem that a common factor of the complainants in this case is that they have thankfully not suffered long-term injuries and haven’t suffered any long-term psychological harm.” Hernandez was jailed for seven years.
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References
- ^ stabbing a taxi driver, (www.leeds-live.co.uk)
- ^ Holbeck (www.leeds-live.co.uk)
- ^ Leeds Crown Court (www.leeds-live.co.uk)
- ^ People caught on camera in West Yorkshire who police officers want a word with (www.leeds-live.co.uk)
- ^ Harehills (www.leeds-live.co.uk)
- ^ court (www.leeds-live.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.leeds-live.co.uk)
- ^ Read our privacy notice here (www.reachplc.com)