News

Inflatable pumpkin thief fined

By Amy Taylor
January 09, 2013

A MAN who stole an inflatable pumpkin from a Halloween display at a Farnborough shopping centre and then assaulted a security guard has been fined.

Robert Green, 38, stole the pumpkin from the seasonal display outside Debenhams in The Meads on October 28 last year.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft when he appeared at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court on November 15, despite having admitted in his police interview that he was taking the pumpkin home "for a relative".

He also denied assaulting and verbally abusing security guard Gary Setterfield, but was found guilty of all three charges on January 2 following a trial that he did not attend.

A warrant was issued calling Green to Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he was sentenced for the theft and his attack on Mr Setterfield, who gave evidence during the trial.

“I was asked to retrieve the pumpkin and had to go out of the exit to meet up with the person who had taken it outside,” he told the court.

“He was in his mid to late-30s, a stocky build and I called to him because he was moving quite quickly. I think I said something like ‘excuse me sir, do you mind if we have that back please?’.”

Mr Setterfield claimed Green had become very angry, loudly shouting at him as he was pursued in the car park.

“He was very abusive towards me and seemed more intent on insulting me,” Mr Setterfield said.

“I was a bit concerned for my own safety, he approached me and pushed me twice.”

Mr Setterfield added that he had used the inflatable pumpkin as a barrier between himself and Green before retreating to "avoid a confrontation" and to call his controller at the shopping centre.

“I noticed a very strong smell of alcohol on his breath,” Mr Setterfield said.

“My controller called for the assistance of two PCSOs and they ran past me to apprehend him.”

Green, of Southway in Guildford, was sentenced for a fourth charge of criminal damage after urinating and defecating in an Aldershot police cell on October 29 while awaiting questioning.

James Burnham, prosecuting, said Green had admitted during interview to pushing and verbally abusing Mr Setterfield, later denying the charge at court, but made no comment to further questions from police.

The defendant was ordered to pay a fine of £110 for the assault on Mr Setterfield, plus costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £20, but was given no separate penalty for the theft.

He was also made to pay £40 compensation to Hampshire Constabulary for the damage to the cell, all of which will be deducted from his benefits.