‘it wasn’t me, ask me mam!’
CROOK, WHO HAS OFFENCES FOR THEFT ON HIS RECORD, OFFERS UNUSUAL DEFENCE AFTER STEALING CHARITY BOX
A WARRANT has been issued for a prolific thief who stole a charity box then claimed ‘it wasn’t me, ask me mam’ when he was caught.
Robert Alan Robson crept into the Travelodge Sportcity in Gorton, yanked the Macmillan container from its chain and hid it under his jacket before running away.
The 51-year-old went back to the same hotel a month later and wandered behind the bar before being spotted.
Robson, of Engell Close, Gorton, pleaded not guilty to the offences of theft and burglary with intent.
He has 113 offences of theft on his record and was recently handed a prison sentence for breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence.
Robson was meant to appear for trial at Manchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday, but didn’t turn up.
The trial went ahead in his absence and he was found guilty.
Prosecuting, Marion Nolan said Robson wandered into the Travelodge on Birch Street in January and took the Macmillan money box. A month later, he went in again and was found behind the bar.
Hotel manager Mark McCann said CCTV clearly showed Robson pulling the charity box chain before it snapped. Footage then showed him putting the box into his coat and running off.
Mr McCann said when he confronted Robson a month later behind the hotel bar, he shrugged it off.
He said: “I said ‘what are you playing at?’ or something along those lines and then said ‘you are the man who stole the charity box.’
“He then said ‘It wasn’t me, ask me mam’”.
When Mr McCann told Robson the police had been informed and he should ‘expect a knock on his front door,’ he replied: “I don’t have a f ****** front door, I’m homeless.”
A police officer also identified Robson from images and the CCTV.
Ms Nolan, prosecuting, added: “Mr Robson is heavily convicted and recently was given a term of imprisonment for breaching conditions of a suspended sentence.”
Magistrates said both charges had been proven and a warrant without bail was issued.