A burglar's painfully clumsy attempt to escape through the roof of a petrol station was captured on CCTV, showing him falling to the ground four times in a row.
A Comedy of Errors Caught on Camera
The incident took place at a petrol station in Ouston, County Durham, on 21 October. The footage shows Andrew Pickering, 50, attempting to make his exit via a ceiling hatch using a stepladder. In a sequence of events more fitting for a slapstick film, Pickering can be seen clambering up the ladder only to lose his balance and tumble back to the floor. He repeated this ungainly performance four consecutive times before finally abandoning the roof route and leaving through a door.
The Crime and Its Cost
During the break-in, Pickering stole cigarettes and bottles of alcohol. The total loss and damage caused by the burglary amounted to approximately £3,219. Despite his failed acrobatics, forensic evidence proved crucial in securing a conviction. Blood found at the scene was forensically linked to Pickering, providing undeniable proof of his involvement.
Sentencing and Accomplice
Andrew Pickering was later charged and appeared in court. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for two counts of burglary. His accomplice in the crime, Daniel Reay, did not receive a custodial sentence. Instead, Reay was given a community order by the court.
The CCTV footage, which has been described as a stark reminder that crime does not pay, served as compelling evidence of the botched robbery and the suspect's identity.
