Bungling robber who trapped himself in Bulwell shop is jailed

Jack Burrell had already spent £150 that day on cocaine and couldn't afford to buy more so he hastily hatched a plan to threaten shop workers at the Local 4U store in Hucknall Lane, Bulwell, and snatch cash from the till.

But the plan didn't go well from the outset for the 19-year-old, who broke the shop door on his way in and consequently couldn't get back out after he tried and failed to get the staff to hand over money.

When he finally did manage to get out he was followed by a brave member of the public who caught up with him and detained him by holding him down at a takeaway shop about 50 yards away until the police arrived.

Burrell, of Eversley Walk, Bestwood Park, was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and told police officers he had taken cocaine minutes before the incident and had more on him.

White powder was found in a clear bag in his jacket so he was further arrested for possession of Class A drugs.

Burrell told police he had decided half an hour before the attempted robbery that he would do it, because he needed some quick money.

He burst into the store at around 8pm on Saturday, December 28, 2019 wearing his hood up and a face covering whilst brandishing a snooker cue and aggressively screaming and shouting for cash.

But when he realised he was not going to get any money he turned round and tried to leave - but the door was jammed after he had damaged it on the way in.

Burrell then ran toward an entrance at the back of the store but couldn't get out of there either so returned to the front and started kicking and shoulder barging it until it cracked and he forced his way out.

He then ran off up Hucknall Lane but a delivery driver who had seen the attempted robbery chased and caught him and walked him to a nearby takeaway and held him down while staff called the police.

Burrell was sentenced to two years in custody at Nottingham Crown Court after admitting attempted robbery and possession of Class A drugs.

Detective Sergeant Jon Kerry, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Burrell decided to threaten shop workers with a weapon simply because he wanted to buy some more drugs and didn't have the means to buy any.

"These are people who are serving the public and should never have to face that kind of abuse and fear.

"Thankfully no one was hurt, no money was taken and Burrell was stopped by a brave member of the public who saw the incident unfolding and stepped in. Now he has had to go to court to face up to his actions."

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