Brighton cashier fought off knife-wielding raider (From The Argus)

Brighton cashier fought off knife-wielding raider

8:00am Saturday 5th September 2009 in News By Nigel Freedman

A cashier fought off a knife-wielding raider attempting to steal £50,000 from a Brighton car park.

Hove Crown Court was told that the would-be robber’s accomplice William Buabasah had worked at the NCP car park in Russell Road before and knew there would be cash on site.

The 33-year-old acted as a getaway driver for the knifeman and told him how to by-pass security.

But cashier Andrew Brocklebank foiled the heist after he struggled with the raider and shouted for help.

The knifeman fled empty-handed, leapt over the car park barriers and sprinted to an Audi Quatro on August 9, 2007.

He dropped a 9ins knife as he jumped into the getaway car which was driven off at speed by Buabasah.

Robert Gladstone, a delivery driver who had just parked outside The Grand Hotel, saw what happened and made a note of the Audi's registration plate.

Buabasah, was arrested after the Audi was stopped by police in Blatchington Road, Hove, four days later.

His accomplice was never caught.

Buabasah, of Park Avenue, Shoreham, denied attempted robbery but was found guilty after a trial earlier this year.

Sentencing the getaway driver to five years a judge yesterday praised the actions of both Mr Brocklebank and Mr Gladstone and said they should each be given a £250 reward.

Nicholas Hall, prosecuting, said Buabasah had worked for NCP for three years until he was made redundant in April 2007.

He used his knowledge to help plan the robbery knowing that there would be between £40,000 and £50,000 at the car park on the day of the raid.

Duncan Cooke, defending, said: “He was not present when the knife was used on Mr Brocklebank.

“Although there was some element of pre-planning this was an amateurish attempt at a robbery which was unsuccessful.”

Judge Guy Anthony said: “You had worked there before and would have known the days on which very large sums of money might be expected to be there.

“You would have known the procedure for obtaining access to the premises.

“The reason it was not successful was the stout resistance put up by Mr Brocklebank even in the face of a knife.

“Mr Gladstone the delivery driver also had the presence of mind to take down the number of the car.

“Both men should receive a commendation from the High Sheriff and as a token they should receive £250 each.”