Incompetent robber couldn't get out of store

A robber who had to be let out of the shop he was holding up after failing to negotiate the door has been jailed for three years.

James Allan, 28, was described by his own lawyer yesterday as “bumbling and incompetent” during the attack on Martin McColl newsagents, Northcourt Road, Abingdon, on March 2.

A balaclava-clad Allan, who made off with just £134.98 after threatening shop manager Angela Croke with an imitation gun and ordering her to empty the till, admitted robbing Ms Croke and possession of an imitation firearm.

Oxford Crown Court heard that after taking the money, Allan attempted to run out by pushing the door instead of pulling.

He removed his balaclava, exposing his face to CCTV cameras, then kicked a panel near the door, smashing it, knocking over a display and falling to the ground in the process.

Ms Croke had to open the door for him before he ran off – and he was found by police in the same road three hours later, throwing the weapon in a nearby bin and with the balaclava in his pocket.

If you're slow at picking things up then there is a lot to be said about practice. Sometimes practicing an activity, like for instance a robbery can make the difference between success and failure. You practice the whole process, don't be leaving out any detail such as a clearly printed hold up note or whether you push or pull the door to get out and make a clean getaway.

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