69-Year-Old Bank Robbery Attempt Fails in Bexhill and St Leonards
Alan Slattery pictured
A 69-year-old pensioner’s bungled bank robbery spree across Sussex has landed him behind bars. Alan Slattery, from Hoad’s Wood Road, Hastings, tried to rob three banks in Bexhill and St Leonards but got zero cash and 32 months locked up instead.
Shameless Demand for Cash Fails
Slattery handed notes to staff at the National Building Society branches in St Leonards and Bexhill, plus NatWest in Bexhill. The note, blunt and threatening, read: “I’M NOT F****** ABOUT, JUST PASS ME THE 10’S AND 20’S NOW AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT.”
Bank employees refused to hand over any money. Slattery then fled on foot, leaving the notes behind at all three banks.
Swift Arrest After CCTV Leads Police Straight to Him
Thanks to CCTV footage, the Hastings and Rother Police swiftly identified and arrested Slattery within hours of the crimes on Friday 10 February. He faced three charges of attempted robbery and appeared at Lewes Crown Court on 5 April.
Judge sentenced him to 32 months in prison.
Police Praise Quick Justice to Protect Communities
Inspector Olivia Carroll of the Hastings and Rother Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Slattery is well-known for his previous offences in the area and could therefore be easily identified by staff who reported the incidents to us. This led to him being quickly arrested by officers and charged within just 12 hours.
“He was also remanded in custody to prevent him from re-offending and causing further harm to our communities. I welcome this custodial sentence, which shows Sussex Police will not tolerate business crime. We will continue working with the business community to protect them and bring offenders to justice.”
