Terrifying moment joyrider screams ‘I am Jesus!’ before killing retired magistrate, 87, when he ploughed into bus stop in stolen car during 30-minute crime spree
- Gavin Collins, 39, went on a 30-minute rampage which ended in him mowing down and killing pensioner Terry Radford
- Collins, who had been released from jail days before, crashed into two houses, broke into three properties and rammed a police car as he tried to escape
- Dashcam footage shows him driving erratically and screaming ‘Let’s go! Let’s go! I’m enraged. I’m Jesus. I’m the descendant of God.’
- He was jailed for life after he was found guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility
This is the shocking footage shows a thief screamed ‘I am Jesus’ moments before he crashed his stolen car into a bus stop and killed an 87-year-old retired magistrate.
Gavin Collins, 39, had been out of prison for one day when he went on a 30-minute crime spree, breaking into two houses and stealing three cars before ploughing into pensioner Terry Radford.
Collins, who had been released from jail days before, crashed into two houses, broke into three properties and repeatedly rammed a police car as he tried to escape.
The dashcam footage shows him driving erratically and screaming ‘Let’s go! Let’s go! I’m enraged. I’m Jesus. I’m the descendant of God.’
As Collins sped he shouts: ‘Watch me go! I’m getting stronger and stronger by the second.’
He can be seen eventually losing control and crashing into a house on Mansfield Road in Skegby, Notts.
39- year old driver Gavin Collins was jailed for life after ploughing into a bus stop and killing Terry Radford, 87
On April 19 last year Collins burst into a man’s house in Tibshelf, Derbyshire and grabbed his car keys.
After losing control of the car he crashed into a house on Mansfield Road in Skegby, Notts.
He then carjacked a woman who was driving on the A38 by opening her car door and forcing her out onto the road.
Minutes later he collided with some barriers, gets out of the car and approached a house on foot, banged on the window shouting to be let in.
He then barged inside, threatened the homeowners and stole their car keys.
He drove off in the Seat Leon, reversed, mounted on the pavement and hit Mr Radford who was waiting at a bus stop.
Even though he tried to speed off again, he was cornered and tasered by police, after becoming trapped in the car.
On Wednesday 1st of July he was jailed for life after he was found guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
He was also found guilty of two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, two counts of burglary and one count of attempted robbery in connection with a series of incidents in Mansfield and Ashfield.
Collins was screaming ‘I am Jesus’ as he was driving frantically for 30 minutes before police officers were able to arrest him
Mr Radford’s grieving family said in a statement: ‘We’re absolutely devastated at the loss of the most wonderful dad and grandad who was loved and respected by everyone.
‘He was the hub of our family. He was 87 but remained intelligent, articulate and funny.
‘He was great company to be with and was as sharp as a pin.
‘He was extremely fit and most people took him for a healthy 70-year-old.
‘Having looked after mum who had extreme dementia, and who we lost last September, he was finally getting his life back.
Police officers finally cornered him in a cul-de sac and after tasering him they were able to arrest him
‘He had three holidays planned for 2019 including to the USA and a European river cruise.
‘Now he won’t get to live out those dreams and his family and wide circle of friends won’t get to share more great times with him.’
Detective Inspector Becky Hodgman, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: ‘This is a tragic set of circumstances that has obviously had a devastating and profound impact on Mr Radford’s family and friends.
‘Our thoughts continue to be with them at this extremely difficult time as well as with those people affected by Collins’ actions that day.’