Worksop: Teen cut roof off soft top car outside Lock Keeper pub

Liam Haines, 19, of Longhurst, Worksop, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft from a motor vehicle and attempted theft from a meter machine at Worksop Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 7th August.

The court heard that at around 3.20am on 24th July 2014, Haines was spotted on CCTV acting suspiciously near a car park ticket machine, belonging to Bassetlaw District Council.

Haines was seen carrying a bag with him which contained a chisel and a screwdriver and after attempting to break-in, which included one of the weapons being left embedded in the machine, he walked away without taking any money.

The court also heard that Haines had been ‘smoking weed’ that night and decided that he needed some money for alcohol.

He was later picked up by police officers and arrested for the offence.

In the interview, Haines admitted the attempted theft and understood that he had no right to try take the money.

When he was asked if there was anything else he wanted to say, he told the officers: “Yes, I cut off the roof of a car outside the Lock Keeper pub earlier as well.”

At the time, the incident had not been reported to the police and this was the first they had heard of it.

It is thought that the owner of the car had not seen the damage caused by Haines which is why it had not been brought to the attention of the police.

He went on to make a full admission, how he had cut open the roof of a soft top Renault Megane and taken some clothes out of the vehicle.

He had also been wearing gloves and said that he could not remember where he had left the clothes.

In mitigation, Ian Pridham said: “To most people, it is common knowledge that these sort of car parks are covered in CCTV.”

“It is that incompetent.”

“I am aware that Liam has ADHD, bordering on autism.”

“He has an IQ of somebody just about mainstream level.”

“He has never worked, although he would like to get into work.”

The case was adjourned until Friday 29th August and Haines was granted conditional bail and ordered to adhere to a curfew by the magistrates.