Bizarre plot to ‘blackmail Lloyds’

A burglar threatened to blackmail Lloyds Bank with bad publicity after claiming he was locked in by bungling staff, a court heard. Christian Downing, 43, entered the Brixton branch just before closing time and asked to use their telephone. He was shown into a side room where he hid until after closing time, jurors heard. When the bank closed for the day a loud alarm sounded and Downing began to film himself on his mobile phone. Downing allegedly ripped open…