Bungling burglar behind bars

Police have released cctv footage showing a robber's bungling attempt to get out of a store after holding up staff and stealing money.

James Allan, aged 29, of no fixed address targeted Martin's Newsagent in Northcourt Road in Abingdon on 2 March 2012.

The cctv released after he was sentenced for the crime shows him wearing a balaclava, robbing a shop assistant with what was later revealed to be a toy gun, and then trying to leave the shop. Allan could not get out and took off his mask. He then asked a shop assistant to open the door for him. He left, but not before falling over, causing a drinks display to collapse around him.

Allan had already tried to rob the store ten days before. He was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to a total of three years behind bars.