AARON GARDNER FROM WOLLATON SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS FOR BRUTAL ROBBERIES AND RAPE ACROSS NOTTINGHAM, BIRMINGHAM, AND LONDON

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Nottingham, Birmingham, and London, Aaron Gardner, a 29-year-old man from Airedale Walk in Wollaton, has been handed a severe prison sentence of 19 years following a series of violent crimes committed over a span of three months in 2019.

Gardner's criminal activities included a disturbing pattern of robbery, sexual assault, and intimidation, which targeted women working as escorts in various hotels across the country. His actions culminated in a brutal attack in Nottingham in April 2019, where he violently assaulted a woman by grabbing her by the throat and pinning her down. During this assault, he forcibly placed a pillow over her face to muffle her screams for help, all while demanding money. The victim was robbed of £3,000 and her mobile phone amidst threats to kill her if she resisted. Gardner’s threats were explicit, and he warned her not to follow him as he left the scene.

In July 2019, Gardner’s violence continued as he arranged to meet another escort in a hotel room in London. As soon as the door closed behind her, he attacked her from behind, grabbing her by the throat and holding her in a headlock for approximately twenty minutes. During this ordeal, he stole her only money, which amounted to £60. His aggression did not cease there; ten days later, in Birmingham, he met yet another woman, and upon their meeting, he immediately threw her onto the floor. Almost instantly, he produced a firearm, threatening to kill her and stealing £1,500 from her handbag.

Gardner’s violent streak persisted in Nottingham again in July 2019, where he assaulted a woman by grabbing her around the neck, dragging her to the ground, and demanding money. The victim sustained injuries to her face and neck during this attack. The most heinous of his crimes occurred during an encounter in Birmingham, where he attacked a fifth woman immediately upon entering the room. He threatened her with death if she did not comply with his demands, and when she screamed for help, he forcibly stuffed newspaper into her mouth to silence her. Gardner then proceeded to rape her, further demonstrating his brutality. During this assault, he warned her not to follow him or he would harm her family.

Law enforcement officials were able to track Gardner down in Basford, where they executed a search warrant and made the arrest. During the investigation, authorities seized a significant number of mobile devices, which were crucial in linking him to the crimes. Additionally, a t-shirt and baseball cap, matching descriptions of items worn by Gardner during the Birmingham incident in July 2019, were recovered as evidence.

Gardner was convicted by a jury on November 12 and 13, 2020, of five counts of robbery, one count of rape, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit one of the robberies. Today, at Nottingham Crown Court, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison. Furthermore, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, underscoring the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims.