McGRANDLE: THIEF JAILED FOR THREATENING PAPARAZZO WHO STOPPED HIM IN HIS TRACKS

A thief threatened to cut a paparazzi photographer’s throat because he had helped to stop him escaping with a stolen phone.

Robert McGrandle, 44, issued the caution to Dennis Gill outside a nightclub in Soho the day after he had been chased down and caught by the snapper.

Mr Gill had helped catch McGrandle after he stole an iPhone from a clubber previous day.

McGrandle was heard to have shouted ‘I’m going to cut your f***ing throat’ at the photographer after he bumped into him the following night.

Southwark Crown Court heard Mr Gill described his tormentor’s face as being ‘contorted with rage’ as he yelled at him.

He was said to have been left had frightened of reprisals as a result of the threat.

Today ex-heroin addict McGrandle was jailed for 16 months for charges of theft and witness intimidation.

The judge, Mr Recorder Gavin Millar QC, said: ‘The threat you made to him was an extremely serious one; there could not be a more serious threat of violence, and a colourful one at that.

‘The criminal justice system cannot sustain offences of witness intimidation.’

Helen Thomas, prosecuting, had earlier told the court McGrandle had been spotted by Mr Gill near to the exclusive nightclub The Box, off Brewer Street, in Soho, central London, at about 2.30am on July 15, 2011.

She said he had been seen to approach a drunken clubber who was sat on the floor attempting to make a phone call on one phone while his iPhone was resting in his lap.

‘The defendant got really up close and personal with him [the clubber] and then he saw the defendant reach into his lap and grab the phone,’ she said.

‘He then saw the defendant walk away.

‘Mr Gill challenged the man and he ran off.

‘He pursued the defendant with the male clubber, who then rugby tackled him to the ground and restrained him until the police arrived.

‘While of police bail for that offence In the early hours of July 16 the defendant encountered Mr Gill in the same area as the night before and was well aware that Mr Gill had assisted the police in the theft incident.

‘He approached Mr Gill and, according to Mr Gill, he said ‘I’m going to cut your f***ing throat’.

Ms Thomas said Mr Gill fled the scene on his scooter and reported the matter to police.

McGrandle was arrested and charged with the second offence few days later.

McGrandle, of (147) Palmerston Road, in Bounds Green, north London, pleaded guilty to theft and witness intimidation earlier.

ENDS