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Hapless Devizes criminal used bubble gun in attempted robbery

byDaniel Jae Webb
20 February 2025 | 6.16pm
Hapless Devizes criminal used bubble gun in attempted robbery
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A hapless Devizes criminal who used a bubble gun in an attempted robbery has been jailed.

‘Dangerous’ Timothy Cooper entered The Castle Hotel on 18 February last year and demanded money – while pointing an object concealed within a tote bag at a male worker.

The man refused to hand over any money and fought back. The 42-year-old defendant placed him in a headlock while holding the concealed object to his knee.

Cooper fled the scene and left the object behind, which the victim quickly discovered to be a pink plastic toy bubble gun.

Six months later, on 24 August, the criminal, of Flax Mill Park, attempted another robbery in the town using a similar strategy.

He entered Estcourt Jewellers wearing a balaclava and demanded money while pointing an object – later found to be a bread knife – concealed in a pillowcase at the victim.

The victim raised a ring triblet above his head, refused to hand over any money and charged at Cooper, causing him to flee.

Following a five-day trial at Winchester Crown Court, a jury convicted him of two counts of attempted robbery. He was jailed for six years and three months.

Police Constable Sean Surgey said: “This is a fantastic result for the victims and for the residents of Devizes.

“Cooper is a dangerous individual who waited for both premises to be quiet before entering and demanding money.

“He wanted the victims to believe that he had a firearm. However, the victims put up a very courageous fight and refused to hand over any money.

“This will no doubt have a lasting impact on the victims, but they can take comfort in knowing that Cooper has been jailed.”

Detective Constable Paul Baldock added: “This is a great result and we are very happy with the sentence passed down.

“I would like to commend the victims for their bravery during this terrifying ordeal.”

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Tags: Burglary and theftDevizesTop storiesWinchester Crown Court

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