Eastbourne resident Robbie Cook has been formally accused of the offence of causing death by reckless driving in connection with a collision that resulted in the fatalities of three individuals in Sussex who had cheated Cook in a drugs exchange.
The trio consisted of Daniel Davies, a 21-year-old, Jonny Day, aged 32, and Jon ‘Tommy’ Miller, who was 36 years old. All three individuals hailed from Berkshire.
The individuals perished following a vehicular collision on Decoy Drive in Eastbourne at approximately 10.40 pm on Monday, 13 February 2023.
An intricate inquiry was initiated, leading to the subsequent apprehension of Robbie Cook, a 39-year-old resident of Croxden Way in Eastbourne, three days later, precisely on 16 February 2023.
Robbie Cook is currently facing charges for three instances of causing death due to unsafe driving, as well as one charge for obstructing the legal process.
Robbie Cook is released on conditional bail for the killing of the three men and is scheduled to appear before Hastings Magistrates’ Court on 25 September.
Two other individuals, one aged 40 and the other aged 17 at the time of the crime, who were earlier apprehended on suspicion of committing murder, have been freed without any additional legal action being pursued against them.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, from the Major Crime Team of Sussex and Surrey, expressed condolences to the families of Daniel, Jonny, and Tommy in light of the unfortunate incidents that occurred last year.
“Since that night, we have diligently and exhaustively strived to comprehend the precise sequence of events and give them the explanations they are entitled to.”
“We are currently conducting investigations, and we are now focussing on the upcoming court proceedings.”
Is this the same Robbie Cook from a December 2010 news publication:
A SCAFFOLDER has been detained in custody following charges of trespassing into multiple residences in the Rye vicinity.
Robbie Zowy Cook, a 25-year-old resident of The Rising, Eastbourne, was apprehended on Friday, December 10th, under suspicion of committing burglary at multiple residences in Rother.
Before this, he was apprehended on November 24th about a road rage incident in Hastings.
At around 10:55 am, a driver was attempting to park his van on Queens Road to make a delivery to a shop. During this process, he noticed a black Landrover Freelander positioned behind him, and observed that the driver of the Landrover was yelling at him. Upon exiting his van, he was accosted by the driver, Robbie Cook, who proceeded to strike him with a headbutt.
Subsequently, the driver of the Freelander re-entered his vehicle, purportedly expressing amusement, and departed. The car’s registration number was recorded and reported to the police.
After a twenty-minute interval, law enforcement authorities on Victoria Avenue in Ore spotted the vehicle. They engaged in conversation with the driver, who was subsequently apprehended on charges of assault and battery. Additionally, the car was confiscated.
Robbie Cook was then interviewed and formally charged with the assault on the delivery driver.
In addition, he was accused of three instances of burglary.
The initial incident occurred at Chick Hill, Pett, from November 9 to 16. During this time, two televisions valued at £1,400 and several electrical devices, including gaming consoles and games, worth an additional £700, were stolen.
A residence at Netherfield Road, Battle, saw a burglary on November 24, resulting in the theft of jewellery valued at £2,400. Additionally, a break-in occurred at Halley Road, Broad Oak, on November 27, during which three televisions worth £782 were stolen, leading to a third burglary charge.
Robbie Cook was also accused of operating a motor vehicle without insurance and a motor vehicle without a licence.
He was refused bail and detained in police custody to attend Hastings Magistrates Court on Monday.
Upon his appearance, Robbie Cook was again detained and will be brought back to court on Monday, December 20th, to set a trial date.
UPDATE 28.10.24
A Sussex man has admitted killing three people in a crash amid a pursuit. Robbie Cook was chasing Daniel Davies, 21, Jonny Day, 32 and Jon ‘Tommy’ Miller, aged 36, when the crash happened in Decoy Drive, Eastbourne on February 13 last year.
All three men died at the scene. Cook, who was chasing the Citroen Berlingo in his Range Rover, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on October 23. The 39-year-old was charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving, and one count of perverting the course of justice. He now awaits sentencing on November 22.
Speaking after the plea hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell said: “Our thoughts remain with the families of Daniel, Jonny and Tommy following the tragic events of last year.
“Since that night, we have worked tirelessly to understand exactly what happened and to provide them with the answers they deserve. We are pleased that because of our complex and thorough investigation, Cook had no choice but to plead guilty when he appeared in court this week.
“I would like to thank the community and everyone who came forward with information for the support they have shown our investigation. This has ensured that justice will be served in this case.”
UPDATE 231124
Eastbourne drug dealer Robbie Cook has been jailed for causing the deaths of three men in a high-speed car chase after they sold him popcorn instead of cannabis.
Robbie Cook was in his Range Rover Sport when he followed the men in their Citroen Berlingo through residential streets in Eastbourne, East Sussex, on February 13 2023 before they crashed into a tree at a park entrance at more than 50mph and were declared dead at the scene.
The court heard Robbie Cook, of Eastbourne, was angry once he realised he was duped in the drug deal worth £3,500 and was “determined” to recover his cash.
Robbie Cook, 39, admitted causing death by dangerous driving of Daniel Davies, 21, Jonny Day, 32, and Jon “Tommy” Miller, 36, who were all from Berkshire, and perverting the course of justice by later destroying his phone.
The public gallery at Lewes Crown Court was packed with their family members when Robbie Cook was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Friday.
Sentencing him, Judge Christine Laing KC said: “I am quite satisfied this was a pursuit carried out by you in determination of getting your drugs money back, together with aggravating features and the fact this tragedy caused the deaths of three men.
“You returned to the Berlingo using a torch to search in and around the vehicle as those men lay dying in it. That speaks volume about your character.
“In the immediate aftermath all you were thinking about was your position and getting your money back.”
The court heard that the cars raced through the narrow streets in the seaside town, half a car length apart, and at one point hit each other, causing the Citroen’s bumper and the Range Rover’s number plate to come off.
Robbie Cook, who was familiar with the roads, slowed to 19mph at the junction with Decoy Drive, while Mr Day, who was driving the Citroen, lost control and crashed.
Robbie Cook was seen on CCTV getting out of the 4×4 and using torchlight to search the car before leaving the scene after around two minutes, without calling an ambulance for the men he told police he heard moaning in the car, the court heard.
Emergency services were called around 30 minutes after the crash by one of Robbie Cook’s associates, and Mr Day is likely to have died just before paramedics arrived an hour after the incident.
Family members stood up in court and told how they had been robbed of their loved ones because of a “reckless” pursuit.
Mr Day’s fiance, Kerri Farrell, told Cook: “He died because of someone else’s relentless, heartless actions.
“You have taken our future away from us. My heart will always be broken.”
Mr Miller’s family described him as a “true hero” who saved his sister’s life three years ago by donating one of his kidneys to her, and said their family will never be the same without his “big character”.
Mr Davies’s mother, Mandy Davies, told the court she was an “emotional wreck”, adding: “I can’t get over losing him in such a tragic way.”
A letter written by Robbie Cook, a father-of-one, was read out in court expressing his remorse over the fatal pursuit.
“I made choices that resulted in complete and utter devastation,” he said.
“I understand I need to be punished.
“I’m sincerely remorseful of my actions… because of the moral and personal realisation of the wrong I’ve done and damage and pain I’ve caused.”
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