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'Totally naked' man stabbed taxi driver before hijacking his car and mowing down reveller

Pablo Hernandez, 21, began his violent crime spree on January 18 last year when he was caught burgling a charity aimed at helping and supporting women involved in sex work and addiction

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Pablo Hernandez, 21, was jailed for his wild crime spree(Image: Leeds Live/MEN MEDIA)

A "totally naked" man went on a violent rampage in a city centre, burgling a charity, stabbing a taxi driver and stealing his vehicle before running over a man enjoying a night out.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Pablo Hernandez, 21, was caught burgling the Joanna Project, a charity in Holbeck that supports women involved in sex work and addiction.

Police arrived after an alarm went off and saw a naked Hernandez in the window. He had broken in by throwing a rock at the glazed panel of a door, Leeds Live reported.

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The prosecutor said: "He entered with his hands in the air stating that he wanted to hand himself in. He was naked except for a chef's apron he had stolen from the premises.

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The young man stole a taxi and mowed down a reveller in Leeds city centre (file image)(Image: Leeds Live/MEN MEDIA)

"CCTV was reviewed and saw him arriving at the premises totally naked and climbing into the rear garden...He hadn't stolen anything else from inside the property and nothing else had been damaged."

Hernandez, who refused to confirm his identity over a video link from custody when he appeared in court and stayed silent despite requests to confirm if he could hear the clerk, was arrested and interviewed. He maintained his right to silence and was released either on bail or under investigation.

On January 27, Hernandez attacked two taxi drivers, starting with an Uber driver in Harehills around 9.30 pm. Mr Parsons explained: "He parked up and shortly afterwards he got a message saying he [the customer] was on his way. After a few minutes a man came running down the street at the rear of the taxi and got into the taxi.

"The driver turned to look at him and noted he had his right hand under his top and appeared to be gripping hold of something. He [the driver] thought it may have been a gun. Then he heard the man say something like 'I'm going to kill you.' He produced a kitchen-type knife which was around 12 inches in length and had a black handle."

Hernandez, also known as Roberto Taylor, began "swinging" the knife before lunging at the driver, who managed to escape and run to a nearby shop. Mr Parsons added: "He got to the shop and saw the defendant had got behind the wheel of the taxi and drove away in it."

The injured taxi driver received treatment for several stab wounds at Leeds General Infirmary.

Hernandez caused chaos driving to Leeds city centre, where he hit an Audi and then a pedestrian. Mr Parsons explained: "He mounted the pavement and collided with and knocked down a pedestrian.

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Hernandez, also known as Roberto Taylor, threatened a taxi driver with a knife(Image: Getty Images)

"The man had been on a night out and was on his way back to the train station. He got an injury to his foot which had been run over."

After ditching the car, Hernandez tried to nick another taxi by punching the driver.

Even after his mate was hit, one bloke chased Hernandez, who then smacked another man with a bottle before the cops nabbed him.

At court, Hernandez owned up to a myriad of charges including burglary, wounding, nicking a car, having a knife, dangerous driving, two assaults, damaging property, and trying to rob.

Hernandez was sentenced to seven years in prison.

* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up Daily Star's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to starletters@dailystar.co.uk

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