‘Happy Hallowe’en’, open the till’ hammer-wielding would-be robber tells shocked McDonald’s staff in Sleaford

A balaclava-clad man brandished a hammer at staff in an attempt to hold up the McDonald’s restaurant near Sleaford on Halloween, Lincoln Crown Court was told today (Friday).
McDonald's at Holdingham. EMN-200320-131508001McDonald's at Holdingham. EMN-200320-131508001
McDonald's at Holdingham. EMN-200320-131508001

Owen Rogers’s face was covered by the balaclava and he wore a hat as he entered the restaurant at Holdingham in the early hours of the morning.

Tony Stanford, prosecuting, said that as Rogers approached the manager he said: “Happy Halloween. Open the till.”

Mr Stanford said: “The manager thought the man was joking, but the man became more agitated.

“Then the man produced a hammer and said, ‘Open the till’.

“Initially the manager wasn’t concerned. He thought that it was an elaborate joke. It was only when the defendant started tapping the hammer on the till that he thought it was serious.”

There was no money in the till as it had previously been removed into a safe and as a result Rogers left empty handed.

He drove off in a car which had stolen number plates fitted, but was traced by police and stopped an hour later at Colsterworth. He had three kitchen knives on him together with tools, including a spanner and an electric drill.

Rogers was later interviewed by police and made full admissions to what he had done, the court heard.

Owen Rogers, 28, of Deer Park Road, Langtoft, admitted attempted robbery of the McDonald’s Restaurant on October 31, 2019 and pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article, going equipped for theft and driving while disqualified on the same date. He also admitted seven charges of theft of number plates from cars between September 12 and 15, 2019.

The court was told that since his arrest Rogers has been diagnosed with a psychotic illness and has been detained in a psychiatric unit.

Mark Watson, in mitigation, said: “It appears he has shown a marked improvement over time. The reports make a recommendation for a hospital order which in my submission is not only going to be the best for him, but also for the wider public.”

Rogers was ordered to be detained in Lancaster Ward at the Priory Hospital, Gainsborough, under the 1983 Mental Health Act.

Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, told him: “You are suffering from psychotic illness. I am satisfied this is of a nature that makes it appropriate for you to be detained in hospital for the appropriate medical treatment. That treatment is available for you at the Priory Hospital.

“The order is made for your well-being and also for that of the public. The order is designed to assist you and to assist the public so that when you are released you are safe.”