Babysitter who left on robbery bid to be jailed
ABABYSITTER who left two young children home alone while he went out intending to rob has been jailed for 15 months. Goman Dodili, 24, was snared by police just before 3am as he tried to force his way into a close in Glasgow’s Kelvinhaugh in March this year.
Dodili was arrested, but begged police to let him go telling them he had left a two-year-old and a two-month-old baby alone for three hours.
He later changed his story and claimed he left the girls unattended for just five to 10 minutes while he went out looking for cigarette butts.
Dodili pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday to attempted housebreaking, theft and giving police officers false details.
He also admitted breaching his bail conditions and exposing the children to unnecessary suffering or injury to health.
Sheriff Martin Jones QC told Dodili that it was the “only appropriate disposal” due to his record and gravity of the offences.
The court heard officers pounced on Dodili and another person as they were breaching the door of a locked close on Derby Street.
Officers shouted “police” and the pair attempted to flee the scene before being caught.
Dodili was searched and found to have gloves, a balaclava and a crow bar in his possession.
He then provided a false name and date of birth to officers at the scene.
His real identity was later discovered and Dodili was also found to have breached his bail curfew.
Dodili was cautioned and charged but replied: “Please no, I have to go home.”
Officers and social workers checked on the children who were in a bed and a crib.
Prosecutor Emily Macreath said: “They examined the flat and found there were items in reach such as a bottle of Calpol and a raw chicken, exposing the children to risk or harm.”
Dodili was quizzed and told officers that he locked the children in the flat in St Vincent Terrace while he went out.
Miss Macreath added: “He said this was just for five to 10 minutes to find cigarette butts and by doing so left the children in danger.”
CCTV later showed officers that the children were left alone after midnight until police arrived at 3am.
Lawyer Neil Kilcoyne told the court Dodili lacked communication skills due to poor English.