Bungling armed robber caught after returning to shop he tried to raid... to ask for his COAT back



When the attempted armed robbery was foiled by a brave shopkeeper, Anthony Gorman could at least be happy he made his escape without being apprehended.



He was dragged around the store and had his gun, balaclava and hoodie-style jacket taken and was chased off empty handed.

But seemingly oblivious to the adage about never returning to the scene the crime, the gormless 21-year-old returned minutes later to ‘politely’ beg for his favourite £200 coat back.

Surprised shopkeeper Michael Singh, who had been meditating when the raid happened, simply turned to his attacker and asked: ‘Are you stupid?’

Stupid: Armed robber Anthony Gorman asks Michael Singh for his coat back

Mr Singh, who moments earlier had a gun pointed at his neck by Gorman, added: ‘No, you can't have it. Get out.’

It only gets worse for Gorman, who was nicknamed Spider. Without his disguise the shop keeper in Longsight, Manchester recognised him and he was arrested the same day.

Today he was jailed for four and a half years after admitting aggravated burglary and possession of an imitation firearm.

Jailed: Anthony Gorman

Mr Singh said: ‘I just cannot believe anyone could be so stupid as to ask for his coat back after bungling a robbery. He should have just cut his losses and run.

‘When he came in first I just thought oh my god and for a split second I thought "riots". I just watched the gun thinking what do I do, he came around the counter and put the gun to my neck.

‘I was meditating and he pulled the gun out and I think he thought I would open the till. I told myself to do something.

‘And then I closed the balaclava up and just dragged him all around the whole shop, by this time I had the gun,’ he said outside Manchester Crown Court.

‘I kept the gun in my left hand, I ripped off his coat and the balaclava but he tried to hide himself with his cardigan and ran out.

‘I just carried on as normal whilst keeping the gun in my left hand but he came back just minutes later and asked for his coat back.

‘He even said "please" but I said "are you stupid?" And he ran off and I realised who he was.

'I was meditating and he pulled the gun out. I closed the balaclava up and just dragged him all around the whole shop'

‘The whole incident was unbelievable.'

The robbery, which involved an imitation gun, happened last month after Gorman had been partying all night with friends.

Philip Dobson, prosecuting, said: ‘Mr Singh saw the man’s hand was very firmly on the trigger and the offender then said in a loud and aggressive voice "Put the f*****g money in the bag or I'll shoot you".

Don't mess with the meditation: Heroic Michael Singh asked armed robber Anthony Gorman if he was 'stupid' after he returned for his jacket

‘Mr Singh grabbed the offender by the hood and began wrestling with him and they sprawled round the shop and the hood came away and fell down.

‘The incident left Mr Singh in a state of shock. He thought the gun was genuine and the man was capable of firing and indeed would fire it.’

John Broadley, defending, said: ‘That evening he spent money on alcohol, he and his friends had a party. He had no recollection but he accepts that it is him on the video who attempts to rob the store keeper.’