CCTV footage shows Jonathan Blundell taking the charity collection boxes from the bar (Picture: Nottinghamshire Police)
A man broke into a Wetherspoons pub, stole three child cancer charity collection boxes then threatened the manager.
Jonathan Blundell smashed a window of Lloyds No.1 bar in Carlton Street, Nottingham and climbed inside at around 2.30am on May 29.
CCTV footage shows him approach the bar and remove three collection boxes that were chained to the bar.
The manager of the pub then came downstairs to find Blundell with the boxes under his arm.
He asked the 35-year-old to put them down, explaining that they were for a children’s cancer charity.
Blundell refused, telling the manager: ‘You better let me out… I’ve got a knife on me.’
No knife was produced but Blundell unlocked a pair of bolted doors and left.
The manager followed him into the street and, with the help of two members of the public, retrieved the collection boxes.
Blundell climbing through the window (Picture: Nottinghamshire Police)
Blundell fled the scene but was detained hours later when a police officer who had watched CCTV footage of the break-in recognised him from his distinctive jumper while on patrol in the city centre.
He was then charged with burglary with intent to steal, as well as using threatening, abusive or insulting words that were racially aggravated after verbally abusing a police officer while in custody.
Blundell, of no fixed address, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and admitted both offences.
He received a seven-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to attend a drug rehabilitation programme.
He must also complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £150 in compensation.
The broken window after the incident (Picture: Nottinghamshire Police)
Sergeant Liz Johnson, of the City Centre neighbourhood policing team, said:
‘It is despicable that Blundell targeted charity boxes after breaking into this premises.
‘Thanks to some excellent police work, we were able to arrest and charge Blundell within hours of him burgling the pub.
‘I’m pleased he has already been sentenced for his crimes, for which there can be no justification.’
Last week, a prolific shoplifter told police officers that ‘once you pop, you can’t stop’ after getting arrested.
Adam Spencer, 40, went on a big shopping spree in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, before being apprehended by officers on Tuesday.
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