A gambling addict who had lost everything was so desperate for a bed for the night he tried to rob a bookmakers.
Leeds Crown Court heard Thomas O’Brien was homeless and, after placing two losing bets at Ladbrokes in Dewsbury town centre with his remaining £1.50, he turned to crime.
The next betting slip he took up to the counter had written on it: “This is a robbery, I am armed just give us the money.”
Philip Adams prosecuting said when the manager read the note and looked up at O’Brien the customer added: “I am serious.”
Unfortunately for him the manager took one look at the small frame of the would-be robber and decided he could defend himself if necessary, picked up the phone and called the police.
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Rachel Smith representing O’Brien, 54, said he had a gambling problem for the last 41 years and had been living rough for the previous two weeks before the offence.
“He was hungry, homeless and suffering from hypothermia. He wanted to do something to be arrested so he could spend the night in the cells”.
O’Brien, of no fixed address, admitted attempted robbery on November 24 and was jailed for six months.
