A would-be thief's attempt at a dramatic roof-top escape from a petrol station turned into a comedy of errors, as he was caught on camera falling from the ceiling an astonishing four times.
A Determined But Disastrous Escape Attempt
Andrew Pickering, 50, from Stanley, broke into a service station in Ouston, County Durham, in the early hours of 21 October. After entering through a hole in the roof using a stepladder, he smashed a protective screen and stole cigarettes, stuffing them into a bag. His plan for a swift exit, however, spectacularly unravelled.
CCTV footage released by Durham Constabulary shows Pickering scrambling back up the same stepladder to flee. In a sequence of clumsy manoeuvres, he wobbled, lost his balance, and crashed back down to the ground not once, but four consecutive times. On each fall, the stolen cigarettes scattered around him.
Forensic Evidence and Court Sentencing
Following the fourth failed attempt, Pickering abandoned his aerial ambitions and opted for the conventional route, leaving via a door. He then caused further chaos, ransacking the shop floor, knocking over displays, and taking bottles from behind the till. The botched burglary resulted in approximately £3,219 worth of loss and damage.
A forensic examination of the scene revealed a significant amount of blood, which was later confirmed to belong to Pickering. He appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court last week, where he was charged with two counts of burglary and sentenced to 12 months in prison.
An accomplice, 46-year-old Daniel Reay, of no fixed abode, was also charged with burglary. He was handed a community order, requiring him to complete alcohol treatment and rehabilitation activity.
Police Release Footage with Ironic Comment
In a tongue-in-cheek statement accompanying the CCTV footage, Durham Constabulary said: “It’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up.” The force also shared video from Pickering's police interview, during which he haphazardly knocked over his glass of water, continuing his theme of clumsiness.
