Little Britain robbers
Dressed in drag, father and son fake disability to raid post office
THEIR bizarre disguise, with long women’s wigs, sunglasses and handbags, may seem comical at first glance.
And in a scene reminiscent of TV show Little Britain, Martin Pick was even faking disability, ready to leap out of a wheelchair pushed by his son.
But unlike the show’s character Andy, who jumps up when no one is looking, the 38-year-old was hiding a gun and about to rob a post office.
Pick and son Declan, then 17, snatched £2,000. But their raid was foiled by the postmaster and passersby, who knocked them to the ground.
The pair escaped in a car driven by Martin Pick’s brother, Mark, but were forced to leave the stolen cash behind – along with the wigs. Police tracked them using DNA left on the false hair.
Yesterday Martin Pick and Mark Pick, 42, were jailed for 18 years and 16 years, respectively. Declan, now 18, will be sentenced tomorrow.
Leeds Crown Court heard the teenager, also armed with a gun, pulled the wheelchair in backwards on March 23 last year before his father jumped to his feet brandishing what appeared to be a shotgun and shouting ‘give us your money’.
Kirstie Watson, prosecuting, said both weapons turned out to be imitations, but the robbers also had a crowbar. After stuffing the cash into a handbag, the pair were tackled outside by postmaster Anthony Williams.
Pick’s wig was pulled off by a woman before he was grabbed by Mr Williams who grappled with him on the ground. Others came to the postmaster’s aid as he was hit with the crowbar.
Mr Williams told police: ‘I was in a state of shock and couldn’t believe what was actually happening.’ A victim impact statement revealed he was now selling the business, in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. The postmaster, who broke down in tears in court, required hospital treatment for a head injury and still suffers from dizziness.
Mr Williams said outside court: ‘They didn’t just rob the post office, it felt like they robbed my soul. I am still receiving counselling.’
Judge Tom Bayliss QC said: ‘This was a carefully planned, ruthless and violent robbery for substantial financial gain. Weapons were used, disguises were employed and you equipped yourselves with a high-performance car. All of that is an indication of the sophistication of your operation.’
He added: ‘What none of you could possibly foresee was the sheer pluck and bravery and determination by the postmaster and local residents.’
Martin Pick, of Clifford, Wetherby, admitted robbery, having a firearm with criminal intent and handling a stolen phone. He had been on bail for dangerous driving, which he also admitted. Mark Pick, of Leeds, was found guilty of robbery and having a firearm. Declan, of Halton Moor, was convicted of the same two offences.