I WAS not too surprised to read about the local butcher's near miss at being robbed, reported in the Journal (January 15).

The Journal of December 18, 2014, reported that a gang of four masked men from Liverpool had stolen a BMW and changed the number plates, then motored down to Warwickshire to rob two pubs, one in Illmington and the other in Bidford.

To avoid the alarms in the Bidford pub they used a ladder to climb onto a flat roof, cut through steel bars then removed the glass from the window frame and then removed the safe and till drawers, among other items.

The landlady had been disturbed and was watching them load the safe as she dialled 999.

The police set off to intercept them and eventually rammed their car as they sped down the wrong way on a dual carriageway towards the M42. They thieves were dragged out and arrested.

So, what do you think they got when hauled before our learned Judge Sylvia de Bertodano? Eight years? Seven? Five?

Sorry, all wrong. Except for one 22-year-old who was out on licence from a jail term, they all got – wait for it – probation!

Now, I read this as a licence to rob, so I'm looking for two fit men, one to be a lookout and the other a fast driver. Any takers?

Mike Reohorn

Broadway.