Man went on crime rampage armed with meat cleaver
HE TRIED TO STEAL A CHAINSAW
A DRUG and alcohol-fuelled man went on a crime rampage brandishing a meat cleaver leaving several victims injured or shaken.
After suffering a low mood Vincent Bodecott decided he would try and take his own life by consuming large amounts of drugs and alcohol but it only led him to embarking on a oneman crime wave, which left carnage in his wake.
Bodecott, 33, began his crime spree on October 29, 2021 at Asda on Beverley Road, where he helped himself to beer, Hull Crown Court heard. But when a security guard challenged him, Bodecott produced a meat cleaver.
The security guard bravely grabbed Bodecott’s wrist to try to disarm him.
The store manager then came over to help and Bodecott punched him in the face resulting in a cut lip. They called the police but Bodecott continued to be violent and produced a second knife.
The Asda workers decided they had to let him go. Both staff members provided victim impact statements which were read out at court.
In a statement, the security guard said: “I am very upset by what happened. I go to work to my job and I don’t need things like this to happen.
“I am worried someone will come and do something again and whether I will be in a position to defend myself. I have a family and worry I will get hurt and won’t be able to provide for them.”
Shortly after leaving Asda, Bodecott came across a man working with a chainsaw. Bodecott went to steal it but the worker got to it first.
Bodecott, of Eldon Grove, became aggressive and said he wanted to use it on the staff at Asda who he said assaulted him. He also threatened the worker saying he would go and get a machete and that he had a taser. He then challenged the man to a boxing match with the winner getting the chainsaw.
After failing to get the chainsaw, Bodecott took his frustration out on a nearby car by kicking it and smashing the windscreen.
Later that day, Bodecott went to the Budgens store on Spring Bank where he helped himself to two crates of lager.
A staff member tried to stop him but Bodecott “went berserk” and started beating the shop worker and racially abused him. He managed to steal the lager. Thankfully, the shop worker suffered only minor injuries.
Bodecott’s reign of terror wasn’t over.
He decided to go to his mum’s house where her grandchildren aged 11 months, eight and 12 were present.
On entering, he demanded £20 and then became angry smashing a kitchen unit and stabbing the door with a knife.
He continued to trash the property as the young children watched on in tears.
Armed police were called and Bodecott was arrested. He was put in a van where he spat several times. The police van had to undergo a deep clean.
Julie Baggs, mitigating, told the court Bodecott was having difficulties last year trying to find accommodation after being released from prison in January 2021. She said he had managed to get off heroin but had suffered the loss of his aunt and close friend in quick succession.
She said: “My client’s mental health difficulties spiralled out of control. On the day the offences were committed he felt suicidal and in a concerted effort took a cocktail of drugs and alcohol.
“This was, at some level, a cry for help. He has no recollection of the offences. That is not an excuse but is an indication of the mental state he was in. He now says he is disgusted with himself.”
Ms Baggs also said Bodecott had enrolled on courses in prison and worked all the hours he could volunteering for the Dove House Hospice in the prison making furniture.
Bodecott had previously admitted a string of offences, including robbery, attempted robbery, assault, racially aggravated harassment, and two counts of possession of a bladed article.
Judge Michael Fanning told Bodecott: “Your pre-sentence report says you are at a high level of harm and reoffending. At the time you were high on drugs and alcohol. Your conduct in front of your mother and her grandchildren was frightening and showed a lack of control. You have inflicted serious harm before. There were seven separate victims in this case. It was just fortunate no one was serious injured.”
Bodecott was sentenced to six years in prison. But Judge Fanning also had to consider public protection. He extended his licence by a further four years once he is released from jail.
He said: “I am satisfied you are dangerous and the public require that protection.”