Legal News
Armed robber pleads guilty after failed hold up (10 March 2014)
Date: 10/03/2014
A bungling armed robber that failed to hold up a shop in London despite carrying a sawn-off shotgun and wearing a balaclava was caught by police just hours after the incident late last year.
Fifty-eight-year-old Derek Rossi attempted to rob a Ladbrokes branch by using the weapon whilst it was concealed under an umbrella before making a swift escape when staff was unable to unlock a safe. Rossi, who removed his balaclava before returning to his bike, accidentally fired the shotgun twice as he rode off.
Officers from the Met's Flying Squad arrested him outside his home in Finsbury Park on the same day, November 4, after reviewing CCTV footage. A further search of his home found further incriminating evidence with a loaded shotgun, 9mm ammunition, balaclava, gloves and a range of other gun related items recovered.
Rossi was subsequently charged with weapons offences and attempted robbery at gunpoint. He pleaded guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court last week and is set to be sentenced at the end of March.
Detective Inspector Scott Hartley said: “This was a terrifying attack committed in broad daylight and Rossi gave no thought to his terrified victims and what he put them through. They have been left traumatised by the event of having a shotgun pointed at them and they both feared for their lives.”
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