A 38-year-old robber in Cambridgeshire has been jailed for six years after he left his provisional driving license at the scene of the crime.
Patrick Muddiman threatened staff at the Co-Op shop in High Street, Brampton, and demanded cash on March 3, Cambridgeshire Police said. Storming the store, he was handed about £120 in £5 and £10 notes and also petitioned for a packet of cigarettes after staff told him £20 notes were kept elsewhere and they did not have access.
A witness then tackled Muddiman, of Whiteford Drive, Kettering, Northamptonshire, but he managed to flee, injuring a second customer who attempted to aid the restraint. The Co-Op outpost lost roughly £7,000 in business after having to shut up shop following the robbery, as well as around £500 lost during the robbery and the cost of physical damage to the store.
The 38-year-old thief accidentally left a black wallet containing his provisional driving license at the store, which ultimately led to his arrest. He gave no comment when police later detained him, but later admitted to charges of robbery and assault by beating. Muddiman was sentenced to six years in prison at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, with a further three years on license, The Independentreports.
Detective Constable Sarah Longbottom, who investigated the robbery, said: “This was an incredibly frightening incident for both customers and staff who were in the shop at the time and genuinely feared for their safety. I’d like to thank the brave shop customers who tried to help on the day, and was pleased to see the judge award the man who helped restrain Muddiman with a commendation. Muddiman was linked to the crime by shop CCTV and witnesses who identified him from his driving license—a key part of evidence which he left behind.”
