A man who stole three charity collection boxes for children’s cancer funds during a pub break-in and threatened the manager has been sentenced.
Jonathan Blundell broke into the Lloyds No.1 bar on Carlton Street, Nottingham, around 2:30 AM BST on Wednesday, according to police.
During the break-in, the pub’s manager pleaded with Blundell to leave the donation boxes, but Blundell refused, threatening, “You better let me out…I’ve got a knife on me.” Despite the threat, no knife was produced. Blundell left the pub after the confrontation.
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At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, Blundell received a seven-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months. CCTV footage captured Blundell, who has no fixed address, smashing a window to gain entry to the pub.
The 35-year-old then broke the chains securing the charity boxes to the bar and attempted to escape with them.
The pub manager, upon discovering Blundell in the act, was told by Blundell that he had a knife. The manager followed Blundell into the street, and with the help of two bystanders, managed to retrieve the stolen boxes.
Blundell fled but was apprehended hours later when a patrolling officer recognized him from the CCTV footage.
Blundell admitted to burglary with intent to steal at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to racially aggravated charges of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words directed at a police officer while in custody.
Sgt. Liz Johnson commented on the case, calling Blundell’s actions “despicable,” particularly given that he targeted charity boxes.
She praised the police’s quick work in arresting and charging Blundell within hours of the burglary, expressing satisfaction with the swift sentencing and emphasizing that there can be no justification for his crimes.
