An 18-year-old resorted to armed crime after being

An 18-year-old resorted to armed crime after being turned down
for more than 200 jobs, the Old Bailey heard.

But having failed to launch an honest career, Robert Francis
also made a complete botch of his new vocation as a pistol wielding
bandit.

The betting shop he targetted was ‘practically next door’ to home
and he acted so oddly that cashiers were phoning security before he
even pulled out his gun.

Slightly-built Francis, of Kingswood Road, Brixton, fled empty
handed, but returned a few days later for a second attempt wearing
exactly the same clothes.

This time a team of Flying Squad detectives were on hand to tackle
him to the ground and bring his bizarre crime career to a close.

In court Francis admitted two attempted robbery charges and
associated imitation firearm offences for the raids on the Ladbrokes
branch in New Park Road, Brixton, on February 17 and 21 this year.

Judge Kenneth Richardson QC was told Francis, who had never been
in trouble before, embarked on his career as a bandit after being
turned down for a prestigious marketing tourism contract.

Although his amateurish bid for the contract to plug Trinidad
and Tobago to UK holidaymakers was always doomed, he had invested all
his time and effort in it, said Mr John Markson, defending.

A psychiatrist described Francis as a ‘naive, immature and foolish
young man.

‘
The judge told the defendant the nature of the crime made custody
an inevitability.

‘Demanding money in betting shops by gunpoint causes terror.

‘There is a need to emphasise yet again that those who hold up the
staff of betting shops with firearms or imitation firearms to get
money must expect a custodial sentence.

‘
Although the Francis would be best served by probation, the judge
said he had to deter other young men who might be tempted into
thinking they could get away without losing their liberty.

Francis, who has been on remand since his arrest, was sentenced
to nine months youth custody.

ENDS