PROLIFIC OFFENDER GAVIN WOODCOCK SENTENCED TO NEARLY 5 YEARS FOR VIOLENT ROBBERY
An elderly woman was left with a fractured wrist after she was knocked over by a robber who snatched her handbag.The 77-year-old was attacked by Gavin Woodcock while she was walking alone down an alleyway in Newark on August 13.
The 39-year-old shoved the victim to the ground, grabbed her handbag as she fell, and then fled the scene around 9pm.
She sustained a cut to her head and had her wrist fractured in two places.
Additionally, her purse, house key, phone, and bank cards were stolen.
Woodcock later used a stolen bank card at a shop to buy cigarettes and alcohol for himself.
He is described as a prolific offender, and on July 22, 2023, he stole spirits from two stores in Newark.
On August 15, 2023, Woodcock was caught by officers from the Newark neighbourhood policing team in the town centre and was taken into custody.
He was charged with robbery, two counts of theft, fraud by false representation, and failing to comply with notification requirements for an existing order.
Woodcock, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to all charges and appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on December 14.
He was subsequently sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.
Detective Constable Matt Jones of Nottinghamshire Police commented on the case, describing Woodcock's actions as cowardly and despicable, and expressed satisfaction that he received a lengthy prison sentence.
