A heroic off-licencee who foiled a determined arm

A heroic off-licencee who foiled a determined armed robber has
been praised by an Old Bailey judge.

Specialist off-licence raider Michael Finlay, 27, thought his sawn-
off shotgun would frighten his victim into handing over the cash from
the till without a struggle.

But middle aged Mr Subhas Patel fooled him into looking behind him
by yelling ‘Police’ – then grappled with the fearsome weapon until it
was pointing back at Finlay.

The bandit, who had recently arrived in London from Southampton,
fled empty-handed but was arrested later at his girlfriend’s home
nearby.

Finlay, who had twice been jailed for off licence raids in the
early 1980s, was jailed for four years.

Judge Neil Denison QC then praised Mr Patel, saying: ‘You showed
great courage and great presence of mind.

‘
He ordered that Mr Patel, who has been nominated for a gallantry
award by the police, to be paid pnds stlng 150 as ‘a token of the public’s
appreciation for his bravery.

‘
Mrs Kalpana Patel and Jonathan Karleson, a motorcyclist who pursued
Finlay, were also praised for their efforts in bringing the armed
robber to justice.

The court was told jobless Finlay resorted to robbery within hours
of being turfed out of home by his pregnant girlfriend because he
could not contribute to the rent.

He chose Mr Patel’s off licence, D.

W.

S.

Stores in Bishops
Road, Fulham, south west London, thinking it would be an easy
target, said Mrs Miranda Moore, prosecuting.

‘He brought out his sawn-off shotgun and immediately pointed it at
Mr Patel’s face, six inches from his nose.

‘With great presence of mind, Mr Patel shouted: “Look, the police
are here”‘ – and as Finlay turned around grabbed the barrel of the gun.

‘There ensued a tug of war for the gun, which at one stage was
pointing at the defendant.

‘Mrs Patel hit Finlay with a stool.

Mr Patel eventually gave up the
struggle and Finlay got away.

‘
Mr Patel tailed him for a few yards then hailed a regular customer
who was passing by on his motorbike.

Mr Karlesen, 28, bravely agreed to give chase even after being told
of the sawn-off shotgun but lost sight of Finlay in Fulham Palace
Road, counsel said.

Later the same night the defendant met up with his girlfriend, Miss
Kathleen Johnstone, and pleaded with her to be let back into their
home in Cranbury Road, Fulham.

She agreed and he was arrested there in an early morning raid by a
team made up of Flying Squad detectives and the police’s crack PT17
firearms unit.

Finlay gave himself up without a fight and immediately confessed.

In court, he admitted attempted robbery and having an imitation
firearm with intent for the February 5 raid.

He told police the shotgun had been unloaded.

Judge Denison told Finlay he gave him full credit for his plea
of guilty and the help he gave to police.

‘It took courage to plead guilty.

That indicates at least remorse
or, perhaps, regret but you know these remain serious offences.

‘
Finlay smiled grimly as he was jailed.

After he was taken down to the cells, the judge praised those who
had been instrumental in bringing him to justice.

‘It is absolutely plain that Mr and Mrs Patel acted with a great
deal of courage and presence of mind.

‘As a token – and it can be no more than that – I order them to be
granted the sum of pnds stlng 150 from public funds.

‘Mr Karlesen also acted with sense and courage and I order that he
be paid pnds stlng 100 from public funds.

‘
The court had already heard that Mr Patel had been nominated for a
gallantry award by the police.

Neither the Patels nor Mr Karlesen were at court.

ENDS
MMMM