Idiot robber mistook fish and chip shop for Corals bookmakers
Derek Carr can’t read or write.So he asked his friend Greg Tod to write a robbery demand on the back of a Ladbrokes betting slip. He’d walk into a branch of rival bookies Corals, hand the cashier the note and walk away rich.
It was a great plan with a few flaws.
Darryl Lovie, defending Carr at Livingstone Crown Court, says that his client went to the wrong shop, specifically one selling fish and chips in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland:
“The chip shop attendant noticed he had a betting slip in his hand and inquired if he could help him. He then realised Mr Carr was in the wrong shop and told him he was in a chip shop not the bookies next door.”
Lewis Crosby, prosecuting, takes up the tale:
“Carr entered Coral just before 6pm, walked up to the counter where manager Karen Jamieson was standing and handed her the note. It stated: ‘Put the money in the bag or someone will die’. This was read by the complainer who handed the note back to the accused and asked him: ‘Are you telling me you’re holding me up?’ The accused didn’t respond at this time however, he opened the carrier bag and said: ‘Put the money in the bag’. This was overheard by another member of staff who had been on the shop floor.
“Both members of staff pressed the silent panic alarm. The complainer thereafter informed the accused that she was not giving him any money. The accused smirked and said: ‘I was only joking’. He then calmly walked out of the door taking with him his note and the carrier bag.”
Sheriff Peter Hammond called for social work reports to assess Carr’s suitability for post release supervision. The case will call again on July 30.
Posted: 23rd, July 2015 | In: Reviews, Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
