Man who went on armed carjacking rampage jailed for 25 years

A man who terrorised drivers, stole multiple cars at gun point and injured officers during a violent spree will now spend a lengthy time behind bars.

In 2022, Gavin Bennett, 45, went on a rampage on Penistone Road while driving a BMW.

Following the trauma and chaos of Bennett’s actions, an investigation unpicked his actions prior to the first 999 call being received.

On 28 September, CCTV footage showed that Bennett collided with a Vauxhall Corsa after he drove through a red light. The occupants of the Corsa described seeing the headlights coming towards them and believing they were going to die.

CCTV captured Bennett fleeing from the crashed BMW after the airbags deployed.

With no vehicle, Bennett began a gunpoint spree, traumatising drivers. He first approached a Ford Mondeo, telling the occupants of the car he had a gun, using the alleged weapon to attempt to smash the windows.

When this failed, he targeted another vehicle, threatening a mother and her teenage daughter, brandishing a gun before stealing their car and driving down the wrong side of the carriageway.

At the same time, a public order van containing three special constable officers came across the initial collision and stopped to help. For unknown reasons, Bennett abandoned the stolen car and continued his rampage.

Further down Penistone Road, he held another driver at gun point and stole her VW Tiguan.

Special constables responding to unfolding chaos described the scene as ‘chaotic’ with Bennett returning to the crashed BMW in the stolen VW Tiguan. Officers believed he intended to set the BMW alight to destroy evidence.

As officers approached, Bennett shouted ‘Get away or I’ll do you’ before fleeing and almost colliding with a constable, who was pulled to safety by a colleague.

Still posing an extreme risk to the public, Bennet continued to evade arrest. When officers attempted to detain him again, he drove directly at a special constable, striking the officer and pushing him under the vehicle for several metres. Bennett eventually stopped and reversed, allowing the injured officer to crawl behind a parked vehicle for cover. The injured officer thought he would die that night.

Bennett fled towards Bradfield Road. Officers later found the VW Tiguan burnt out near to Northern General Hospital.

Forensic testing was carried out on the BMW and Bennett’s DNA was found on the airbags.

Officers launched extensive enquiries and Bennett was soon arrested. During interview, he remained silent when officers asked him questions. He was charged, remanded and pleaded not guilty, with a trial date set. The trial date was changed three times due to what can only be described Bennett’s delaying tactics, prolonging the ordeal for his victims.

While awaiting his trial, Bennett attacked his own barrister during a meeting, punching them in the head and stabbing them with a pen. With no legal representation, he chose to represent himself in court, and earlier this year on 19 March, on a fourth trial date, a jury found Bennett guilty for all eight offences including two counts of robbery, two counts of possession of an imitation firearm with intent, two counts of dangerous driving, one count of S.47 assault occasioning actual bodily harm and handling stolen goods.

Despite continuing to deny the assault on his barrister, Bennett later changed his plea to guilty on 25 March 2026

Today (18 June) he was sentenced for all his actions to 25 years in prison for all offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles said:

“Bennett’s behaviour throughout this incident was utterly abhorrent. He showed a complete disregard for human life.

“He terrorised innocent people, used a firearm to intimidate drivers and twice used vehicles as weapons against officers.

“The outcome for those officers could have been tragically different, and it is only through quick thinking and sheer luck that we weren’t dealing with far greater injuries or even the death of officers.

“Officers run towards danger, they put the safety of their community above their own, it’s what defines our frontline as the epitome of police officers, but they are human, they have families and children and loved ones, and they deserve to go home safe at the end of their shift.

“Today’s sentence reflects the extreme danger Bennett posed to the public and officers. I am pleased he is away from causing harm for a significant amount of time.”