A failed bid to snatch tobacco from a Bristol shop got a man arrested nearby. Despite trying to steal the tobacco from over the counter he only got away with some scratchcards and juice and is now heading to jail.
Alexander Densley walked into the Tesco on Cheltenham Road, Bristol, and asked for tobacco and a lighter. Bristol Crown Court heard when the manager went to pass tobacco over Deneley tried to snatch it and grabbed the manager's shirt, but was thwarted.
He then helped himself to the scratchcards and a bottle of orange juice and left. The court heard police picked him up close by.
READ MORE: Man broke police officer's fingers
Densley, 24, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft and attempted robbery on July 2 last year. Judge Michael Longman handed him a 12 months prison sentence.
The judge told Densley: "From the victim's point of view there is not a great deal of diffence between robbery and attempted robbery. He was still the victim of force."
Caighli Taylor, prosecuting, said when police promptly found Densley they located the stolen scratchcards nearby. Densley admitted being at the store and stealing scratchcards, but denied using force or making threats.
The court heard he had 21 court appearances for a previous 61 offences. These included thefts from shops, burglaries and handling stolen goods.
Jonanna Hooper, defending, said drug use had caused her client to find himself in a "revolving door" of committing offences and being sent to custody. She said her client was willing to engage with services and had a package designed to rehabilitate him lined up for his release.
Sign up for our new Bristol's Court Insider newsletter for the latest court and crime news - from arrests to trials and sentencings.
READ NEXT:
