News Beat
Failed robber threw stones at Middlesbrough McDonald’s manager
Louie Reed entered the fast-food chain’s branch on the Trunk Road, Middlesbrough, at 4.35pm on July 13 this year and threatened to shoot staff unless they opened the till.
Reed, whose hood was up, appeared to be holding something under his clothing.
A court room at Grimsby Crown Court, hearing Durham and Teesside cases, was told that a manager instructed staff present to retreat to a room at the rear of the premises, which they did.
Elisha Marsay, prosecuting, said in frustration, Reed headed back to the store door, went outside and grabbed three stones, which he returned with and threw at the manager.
None of them hit her or caused any great damage.
The manager described the defendant as being “agitated” and appearing to be under the influence of drugs.
Police were informed of the incident and, as an officer was travelling to the premises, he spotted Reed leaving McDonald’s and trying to hide in a nearby area of undergrowth.
He was found amid the foliage, having removed his top, trying to conceal himself alongside an XL Bully dog.
Giving the defendant’s details to his control room, the arresting officer was told Reed was wanted over an incident committed earlier in July.
He was found to have been in possession of a stolen bank card which he unsuccessfully made three attempts to use at a convenience store, shortly after it was taken in a burglary in St Patrick’s Road, Middlesbrough, overnight on July 2 – 3.
An Apple MacBook, also stolen in the burglary, was tracked as being near his home, early on July 4, but it was not recovered.
When interviewed about the offences the defendant made “no comment” replies to police questioning.
In her victim statement, the McDonald’s branch manager said no-one has the right to put her in such fear in her place of work.
She said the defendant was very aggressive and caused her to feel, “in great distress and very shook up”.
Reed, now 23, of St Patrick’s Close, Middlesbrough, admitted attempted robbery, handling stolen goods and fraudulent use of the stolen bank card.
Tom Bennett, in mitigation, said the defendant was of previous good character and has been on remand in custody, his first experience of prison, since July 13.
Judge Gurdial Singh told Reed, who was appearing via video link from Holme House Prison: “I’ll put it bluntly.
“If it wasn’t so serious it would be almost comedic, wandering in purporting to have a weapon under your clothing and having a dog with you.”
The judge said the defendant was “clearly no criminal mastermind”, having discarded his top after the botched robbery bid and being found with the dog.
“There was no weapon. It was clearly a gesture but one which certainly frightened those who saw it.”
The judge said Reed then abandoned the robbery attempt and threw stones at the manager, all of which missed, “demonstrating the crass stupidity of this.”
But, having read a Probation Service background report on Reed, the judge said he agreed with its author that having spent five months in custody since his arrest, he could be dealt with in the community without spending any longer behind bars.
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He passed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which time the defendant must spend up to 120 days on a mental health treatment order, and perform 200 hours’ unpaid work.
Judge Singh told the defendant he was giving him a chance to prove his offending in early July was, “the start and end” of his criminal behaviour.
But he warned Reed any breaches of the conditions, or further offending, would see him back in court and probably going back to prison.
