Burglar jailed after using knife to force open fruit machine

Joshua Cox had sneaked in to a closed off upstairs bar at the Sun Castle on North Parade during lunch-time opening.

Ian Way, prosecuting, said that Cox picked up two knives and used them to force open the till only to find it was empty.

He then turned his attention to the gaming machine but was spotted when a member of staff entered the first floor area.

Mr Way said “The defendant was seen crouching down behind the fruit machine. He had two cutlery knives and was striking out at the machine.”

Cox was challenged but claimed he was fixing the machine. He was asked why he didn’t have a key but did not answer and simply walked out of the premises.

Cox was identified from the pub’s CCTV film and his fingerprints were found on one of the knives which he left behind.

Mr Way said “He was arrested and interviewed. He said he went upstairs to use the toilet. He denied going behind the bar and attempting to force the till open and he denied trying to break into the fruit machine. He denied it was him on the CCTV and denied it showed the commission of an offence.”

But in court Cox, 20, of no fixed address pleaded guilty to burglary of the pub on 11 July this year. He also admitted possession of a small amount of cannabis found on him when he was arrested.

He admitted further offences of theft of £4.98p worth of goods from the Aldi Store in Boston on 1 June and possession of cannabis on the same date.

He was jailed for a total of eight months.

James Armstrong-Holmes, in mitigation, said “It was clearly an impulsive act. He was walking past and saw an opportunity.”

He said Cox has mental health problems and was a drug user but has been clean since being remanded in custody following his arrest last month.