Car thief targeted pregnant woman at Greasbrough, court told

A MAN stole a car from a pregnant woman and attempted to rob a dog walker’s vehicle the following day, a court has heard.

David Cheeseman (32), of Central Drive, Rawmarsh, went on trial at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday accused of robbery and attempted robbery.

Both women — who the Advertiser has chosen not to name — gave evidence from behind screens.

Cheeseman is accused of robbing the first victim (Woman A) of an Audi A3 on May 28 last year and of attempting to rob Woman B of an Audi Q5 the following day.

Mr Gurdial Singh, prosecuting, told the court that Woman A had been approached by Cheeseman in Greasbrough at about 6.30pm, while she was hoovering her car. 

Her seven-year-old daughter had been in the car at the time.

Mr Singh said Cheeseman told her to “get the baby out of the car now” and she had been frightened of him.

“She didn’t know whether he was going to harm her or the child in the vehicle,” he said.

Mr Singh said Woman A, who was 27 weeks’ pregnant, tried to grab the keys but Cheeseman got there first and drove off.

It is alleged that, the following day, Cheeseman approached Woman B in the same area at about 12.40pm.

“She had arranged to meet her friend and was going to go dog walking with her,” said Mr Singh.

She saw Cheeseman coming towards her and he engaged her in small talk.

“He said: ‘I wish I had a car’ and (Woman B) did not know what to make of that,” said Mr Singh.

“He said, ‘Give me your car keys…give me your f***ing car keys or I’ll take them off you’.

“She was in fear but had the presence of mind to use the dogs, and said: ‘I’ll set my f***ing dogs on you’.”

Cheeseman walked back across the road and Woman B took a photograph of his back, he said.

Both women later identified Cheeseman as the offender during an identification procedure.

He denies the charges. The trial continues.