Passing police foiled knife man’s terrifying robbery bid as crime unfolded

Close Street, Carlisle. Pictured is the corner of Close Street with a Chinese takeaway opposite — Close Street, Carlisle

A knife-carrying man who tries to rob a terrified motorist of a car on a residential Carlisle road has been jailed for two years.

The victim parked on Close Street, off Botchergate, on September 4, and went to collect pizza from a shop before returning to his vehicle. It was then that 42-year-old Robert Madden appeared and began asking for the car keys, Carlisle Crown Court heard today.

On refusal, Madden said — falsely, as it transpired — that he had a gun and instructed the man to get out of his car, which he did.“He then produced a lock knife, pointed it at him and threatened to cut him up,” said prosecutor Brendan Burke.

The man moved around to the other side of the car to put an obstacle between the defendant and himself. He was too frightened to call police while Madden was there, and instead texted his partner.

But by pure chance, officers on another call passed the scene as the crime was in progress. They were flagged down, detained Madden and found a knife where he had been sitting.

In an impact statement, the victim described heightened anxiety and his anti-depressant medication being raised in the aftermath. “He doesn’t feel as comfortable as he used to when out and about, especially at night,” added Mr Burke.

Madden made full admissions in the interview, and when later brought to court he admitted attempted robbery and illegally having a blade in public. He was sentenced today by a judge who heard Madden had made more than a dozen suicide attempts amid a background of significant mental health issues.

In his police interview, Madden had described becoming homeless and losing his home and job in the weeks before the desperate robbery bid. Recorder Tony Hawks jailed Madden, of no fixed address, for a total of two years, reducing the sentence after hearing how his life had “fallen apart”. But the judge stressed: “It is a very serious matter.”