Thief caught on camera by friend is jailed for two years

Thief caught on camera by friend is jailed for two years
1:00pm Friday 4th June 2010

By Julie Magee »
A BUNGLING robber who was brought to justice after a “friend” took a picture of him carrying out the theft has been jailed for two years.
Gary Thompson, 30, was so drunk he couldn’t even remember being captured on the mobile phone camera as he snatched £700 from the till of a Bournemouth restaurant.
But the long arm of the law caught up with him when the incriminating photograph led to his arrest on March 3 this year, five days after the robbery at the Lazy Shark in Christchurch Road, Boscombe.
Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Angela England said Thompson, from Grosvenor Gardens, Boscombe, had been drinking with two other men at the bar before owner Anthony Wright overheard one saying: “We are going to take your money.”
Miss England added: “Mr Wright thought it was a joke but he was unnerved when the defendant stood up and gave him a deadly stare.
“The men began arguing and he heard one saying: ‘Don’t do it – you know the consequences’.
“But Mr Thompson ignored that advice and demanded money from the till.
“When Mr Wright refused, Mr Thompson threatened him before grabbing him around the throat. One of the other men had a mobile phone and, as Mr Thompson had his hands in the till, he took a picture.
“Before leaving Mr Thompson head-butted the owner, causing him to fall to the floor. The man who had taken the photograph was arrested and police seized his phone. Officers discovered the photograph and enquiries led them to Mr Thompson.”
The court heard how Mr Wright had suffered neck and chest pains, had trouble sleeping and had not wanted to return to work following his ordeal.
Thompson admitted the robbery on February 26.
Defending, Frank Abbott said his client had apologised for “this completely inexplicable incident”, adding: “They had a fantastic amount to drink and the man took the photograph as a joke, which is quite extraordinary.
“Mr Thompson was being egged on. He pleaded guilty although he can’t remember anything about it.”
Sentencing Thompson, Judge John Harrow told him: “I can’t pretend to understand why you committed this offence; clearly heavy drinking had a part to play. You took advantage of Mr Wright’s vulnerability.”