Brave fightback allowed police to trace masked Leeds pawn-shop robber through DNA
Defendant traced after leaving blood behind
A gang of armed masked robbers was thwarted after a pawn-shop worker fought back, attacking one of the intruders with a crowbar.
Leaving a trail of blood behind, it allowed police to match the DNA to Christopher Windle, who was jailed at Leeds Crown Court this week.
The court heard that the three-strong group targeted Cash Spot on Town Street, Armley, on February 2.
With one waiting on a motorbike outside, the other two entered the shop wearing balaclavas and wielding a baseball bat and a machete.
They smashed the glass cabinets to get at the jewellery on display, but in the melee, Windle was struck over the head with the crowbar.
The pair then fled empty handed, leaving the trail of blood.
Windle, of no fixed address, was later arrested after his DNA screening confirmed the blood belonged to him.
He appeared in court over a video link from HMP Leeds, having admitted attempted robbery, possession of offensive weapon and a charge of criminal damage from a separate incident in which he damaged the door of a woman’s property.
The 26-year-old has more than 60 previous offences to his name.
Mitigating, Nicholas Leadbeater said Windle regretted his involvement and that insight he “would have made a very different decision”.
The judge, Recorder Anthony Hawks said Windle “has a shocking record” and told him: “You were armed. You don’t need me to tell you it is a very serious offence.”
He jailed him for 45 months.