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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Henry Vaughan & Kelly-Ann Mills

Man who killed grandad, 87, at bus stop and screamed 'I'm Jesus' jailed for life

A man has been jailed for life after driving into a grandfather in a stolen car and killing him.

Gavin Collins was caught on dashcam footage driving at speed and overtaking vehicles before losing control and crashing into a house in Nottingham on April 19 last year.

The 39-year-old is seen to rip off the rear-view mirror after saying, "don't need this" before shouting, "watch me go now" and "I'm Jesus... descendant of God."

Driving another stolen car, Collins later reversed at speed and mounted the pavement before hitting retired teacher Terry Radford in Mansfield Woodhouse.

Mr Radford, who was a former councillor and magistrate and described as "the most wonderful dad and grandad" was pronounced dead at the scene.

Collins was jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years (SWNS)

Collins, from Tibshelf, Derbyshire, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years at Nottingham Crown Court.

He was found guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility, Nottinghamshire Police said.

He was also convicted of two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, two counts of burglary and one count of attempted robbery, while a charge of kidnap was earlier dismissed.

Collins burst into a man's house in Tibshelf on the morning of April 19 last year before grabbing his car keys and shouting he was borrowing the car before driving off towards Nottingham.

He screamed "I am Jesus" (SWNS)
Gavin Collins was jailed for life (SWNS)

Dashcam footage captured the moment he crashed into a house in Mansfield Road as the homeowner jumped out of the way.

He then got into a woman's car and forced her out of it before driving off towards Mansfield Woodhouse, but got out minutes later after crashing into some barriers.

Collins stole another car after smashing the patio doors of a house in Worcester Avenue before hitting Mr Radford, who was stood at a bus stop.

Footage released by police shows Collins ramming a police car and reversing through a garden wall as he made his escape.

Terrifying footage caught Collins in the stolen car (SWNS)
He was arrested by police with Tasers (SWNS)

He was finally arrested after being dragged out of the car by officers brandishing Tasers after he crashed into a tree.

Mr Radford taught at Valley Comprehensive, now known as Outwood Academy Valley, in Worksop and was a former Mansfield Woodhouse councillor and magistrate.

In a statement after his death, his family said: "We're absolutely devastated at the loss of the most wonderful dad and granddad who was loved and respected by everyone.

Terry Radford was killed as he waited at a bus stop (SWNS)

"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."

Detective Inspector Becky Hodgman 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.

"I would like to thank the officers and emergency services staff who responded to this incident and the team that subsequently worked thoroughly and professionally on a difficult investigation in order to secure this result at court today." 

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