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Bungling banana robber is jailed
A man has been jailed for almost seven years for trying to hold up an east London betting shop with a banana.
Robert Downey, 24, entered William Claridges Ltd in Tower Hamlets, with the banana clearly visible through a blue carrier bag.
London's Southwark Crown Court heard he threatened the staff saying if he did not get the money he would shoot them.
Downey, a crack addict from Chatham, Kent, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery at the bookies.
'Imitation firearm'
The court heard that Downey got the banana from a nearby fruit shop.
As the "weapon" was thrust through the gap between the bullet proof security screen, one of the workers, Peter Humphrey said to a colleague: "He said he has a gun, but it might be a banana".
But when Downey realised that the hold-up was not having the impact he intended, he attempted to use a pair of scissors.
Patrick Cahill, prosecuting, said: "They were shiny, metallic and he pointed them from his pocket, but seeing no money was going to be handed over he ran out of the shop."
When the police arrive they found Downey trying to pull off a balaclava.
A police dog found the banana still in its bag about 100 yards away.
Judge Paul Dodgson told him that using the "two strikes and you're out" legislation, he could have received a life sentence.
A man has been jailed for almost seven years for trying to hold up an east London betting shop with a banana.
Robert Downey, 24, entered William Claridges Ltd in Tower Hamlets, with the banana clearly visible through a blue carrier bag.
London's Southwark Crown Court heard he threatened the staff saying if he did not get the money he would shoot them.
Downey, a crack addict from Chatham, Kent, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery at the bookies.
'Imitation firearm'
The court heard that Downey got the banana from a nearby fruit shop.
As the "weapon" was thrust through the gap between the bullet proof security screen, one of the workers, Peter Humphrey said to a colleague: "He said he has a gun, but it might be a banana".
But when Downey realised that the hold-up was not having the impact he intended, he attempted to use a pair of scissors.
Patrick Cahill, prosecuting, said: "They were shiny, metallic and he pointed them from his pocket, but seeing no money was going to be handed over he ran out of the shop."
When the police arrive they found Downey trying to pull off a balaclava.
A police dog found the banana still in its bag about 100 yards away.
Judge Paul Dodgson told him that using the "two strikes and you're out" legislation, he could have received a life sentence.
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