Sheffield car key robber threatened to stab women in hospital car park

Darren Machen was ejected from Northern General Hospital because he threw tea at a fellow patient, at around 1pm, on April 29, last year, said prosecutor Stephen Grattage.

He shouted at a hospital staff member who was getting into her car: "Give me your keys. I am going to stab you."

She was "petrified," but managed to get into the car and drive away, and he threw something at her car.

She watched as Machen approached a theatre nurse, and blocked her path and as she tried to move around him.

He reached for his waistband as if he had a knife and made the same threat, but she also locked herself into her car.

A female visitor was parked in the eye-clinic car park and going through her purse when Machen opened her door and repeatedly demanded her keys.

He tried to grab the keys from the ignition but failed, and took her purse, containing cash and cards, before running off.

Machen was picked up by his parents and police were able to trace him to his home because his first victim made a note of their registration on CCTV, said Mr Grattage.

He was arrested after officers found him hiding in a black bin bag.

He told police that he couldn't remember anything and couldn't explain what he had done because he was so "self-medicated."

In a statement, the theatre nurse: "As a nurse I wanted to help. This man betrayed my trust."

Another victim said the episode left her "absolutely petrified," while a third said she was left feeling vulnerable and upset.

Machen has nine previous convictions for 15 offences, including affray, possession of a blade, harassment, breach of court orders and battery.

Ian Goldsack, mitigating, said there was no reason for the offending to occur and Machen was vulnerable, and “clearly not in his right state of mind."

"No knife was seen or found. These were very fleeting contacts in a public space, in hours of daylight, with people around."

Mr Goldsack said Machen has a background of serious alcohol abuse and had gone to the hospital because he was suffering seizures.

"He is painfully aware of what the sentencing guidelines suggest," he said. "Prison would jeopardise the progress he has been making since the offences. I ask if there is any way at all the court can stand back from immediate incarceration."

Machen, 32, of Longley Hall Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and making threats, on October 6.

Recorder Gavin Doig praised Machen's first victim for contacting police and noting the registration number. He sentenced Machen to four years in prison.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

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