Moment robber uses bright pink bubble gun hidden in bag to try to steal money from an upmarket hotel
A robber has been jailed after using a bright pink bubble gun to try to steal money from an upmarket hotel.
Timothy Cooper, 42, of Flax Mill Park, concealed the toy weapon in a tote bag and demanded cash from the Castle Hotel tills.
But a staff member refused to hand over the money and fought back when Cooper put him in a headlock with the fake gun pressed to his knee.
Empty-handed Cooper then fled the scene at the hotel – an 18th century Coaching Inn in Devizes, Wiltshire.
The barman later discovered the supposed gun was actually a harmless bubble blowing machine.
Timothy Cooper (pictured), 42, has been jailed after using a bright pink bubble gun to demand cash from a hotel till
Pictured: Cooper conceals the toy weapon in a tote bag and demands cash from the Castle Hotel barman, who fought back bravely
Six months after the attack on February 18, 2024, Cooper again attempted robbery at a jeweller near the town centre.
This time, his weapon of choice was a bread knife concealed in a pillowcase.
Video shows a shop worker at Estcourt Jewellers brandishing a ring shaping tool at Cooper and his accomplice who then swiftly flee the scene in their balaclavas.
The staff member follows Cooper out of the shop shouting: ‘Get out of here, you!’
Cooper was found guilty of two counts of attempted robbery following a five-day trial at Winchester Crown Court and has now been sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
In August, 2024, Cooper entered Estcourt Jewellers and demanded money while pointing an object – later found to be a bread knife – at staff (Pictured: Cooper and an accomplice flee)
Cooper’s second attempted robbery saw him use a bread knife (pictured) concealed in a pillow case to intimidate his victims
Pictured: Video shows a shop worker at Estcourt Jewellers brandishing a ring shaping tool at Cooper and his accomplice who then flee in their balaclavas
Police Constable Sean Surgey said: ‘This is a fantastic result for the victims and for the residents of Devizes.
‘Cooper is a dangerous individual who waited for both premises to be quiet before entering and demanding money.
‘He wanted the victims to believe that he had a firearm. However, the victims put up a very courageous fight and refused to hand over any money.
‘This will no doubt have a lasting impact on the victims but they can take comfort in knowing that Cooper has been jailed.’
