Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Geoffrey Bennett

Suspected burglar told police he 'flew in on a fast magic carpet, smoking a spliff'

A man suspected of burglary told police he "flew in" to a crime scene on a "fast magic carpet while having a spliff".

Police were on their way to an attempted break-in at a village store when they were alerted to a second at a restaurant shortly after.

It transpired David Cox had committed both, with an unknown accomplice.

The 35-year-old, of Wynter Close in Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and burglary on June 14.

Judge Michael Cullum jailed him for 24 months at Bristol Crown Court on July 18.

He told Cox: "You were on post-release licence for a month.

"Seeking finance, you and another decided to target a couple of premises in Weston-super-Mare.

"The village store had a family living upstairs, which is a significant aggravating feature."

Julian Howells, prosecuting, said Cox and his accomplice tripped the alarm at Uphill Village Shop when they tried prise open the front door at 2.46am.

A witness who heard a series of bangs saw a tall man go to a parked car which sped off.

The court heard remedial work on the damaged door cost £5,000.

On the same night a witness saw two men targeting Il Michelangelo restaurant in Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare.

The witness heard one say "do it quietly" and they called police.

Mr Howells said: "Police were responding to the burglary at Uphill Village Store.

"The defendant Mr Cox was located hiding under a bush in a garden on Knightstone Road, with gloves nearby.

"He was confirmed to be an offender by a witness."

The court heard intruders stole £800 from the restaurant till, as well as cash in a staff tip box. They also caused caused £1,300 damage to the door.

Mr Howells told Bristol Crown Court: "In interview, Mr Cox denied involvement.

"He said he had flown there on a fast magic carpet while he was having a spliff.

"When police pointed out a car nearby, he said it belonged to his ex-partner."

Paul Cornelius, a probation officer, said Cox told him he committed the offences because he was short of money.

Simon Cooper, defending, said: "He wishes to apologise for his behaviour.

"He's clean (of drugs) now and he wants to stay clean."

Get all the latest news from in and around the city on the Bristol Live homepage

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.