Bungling robber told victim his name and address

3:09pm Friday 26th September 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A HAPLESS robber who snatched hundreds of pounds from a bookmakers was caught after telling the shocked manageress his name and address before he left.

Lee Walker, 55, shouted out “I’m f***ed, I’m f***ed, I’m on self-destruct” and blurted out his details as he fled from the Ladbrokes shop in Stockton in June.

Judge Peter Bowers yesterday jailed Walker for four-and-a-half years after telling him: “This is one of the most extraordinary offences I have ever come across.”

He added: “It was the most extraordinarily bungled robbery, and short of leaving a card with your name and address on, you could not have done more to lead police to your door.”

Teesside Crown Court heard how Walker faced being recalled to prison for breaching terms of his licence for an earlier bookies robbery when he carried out the raid.

He had stolen £2,320 from his new girlfriend’s bank accounts in May and was at risk of being returned to jail to complete the eight-year sentence imposed in 1998.

Judge Bowers was told that Walker was caught after climbing over the counter of a betting shop, threatening staff, tying them up and making off with £5,000.

He was on day-release from Kirklevington Prison, Yarm, and working in the kitchens of a nearby restaurant when he met married woman Pauline Normington, 62.

Ms Normington gave up her marriage to be with the convicted robber, and they had lived together for six months after his release before he stole from her to fund his gambling habit.

After being arrested for the thefts – and admitting them to police – Walker was given bail, but warned by police that he would soon be recalled to prison.

On June 9, Walker heard there was a warrant for his arrest and told Ms Normington he was going to go to the police, but instead went on a booze binge in Stockton.

She called him during the early evening and after expressing concerns that he was drunk, Walker told her: “I’m going to have another pint then hand myself in . . . at least I’ll sleep well in the cells.”

Walker then told Ms Normington he planned to rob the Ladbrokes over the road, but after being dissuaded by his partner he promised he would not make things worse.

Aisha Wadoodi, prosecuting, said Walker struck as manageress Miss Laverick was planning to close the shop, and stole £500 from the safe and tills..

“He said his father was ill in Dublin and he wanted to go and see him,” said Ms Wadoodi. “He said ‘I’m f***ed, I’m f***ed, I’m on self-destruct. Lee Walker, 39 Florence Court, Ingleby Barwick.

“She told him to put the money back and they would forget about it. He said he was going to lock her in a store cupboard, so he could escape. She pleaded with him not to and said she would give him a two-minute head-start.”

Walker was arrested after returning from visiting his ill father in Ireland, and his lawyer, Peter Wishlade, said: “I have never had a case where the offender – in the middle of it – says who he is and where he can be found.”

Mr Wishlade described the robbery as “an utterly ludicrous offence” and said Walker became involved in crime after being abused as a child, and has spent 20 of the last 30 years behind bars.

Judge Bowers told him: “It is with some degree of regret that the efforts you have made between 2004 and the early part of this year were dashed partly by your past catching up with you.

“That resulted in exposing the underlying weaknesses in your character – drink and gambling – and once those two got hold of you the money went out of your partner’s account.”