Blundering thief tried to steal from Sussex Police car (From The Argus)

Blundering thief tried to steal from Sussex Police car

11:00am Friday 19th June 2009 in Search By Alison Cridland

A man who broke into a police car was caught on the vehicle’s CCTV.

The unmarked Ford Escort was left overnight in the NCP in North Road, Brighton.

Peter Marsh, 30, smashed a window at 1am on June 13 and searched the vehicle.

But he was being filmed by a CCTV camera installed inside the car.

Marsh, who stole a disabled parking badge and sat nav equipment, was recognised by a police officer who saw the film.

When officers went to a flat in Kestrel Court, Brighton, they found him hiding on a balcony.

The 30-year-old, of North Road, Brighton, admitted theft and two charges of assaulting police officers when he appeared at the city magistrates court.

Martina Sherlock, prosecuting, told the court when Marsh was taken to the custody centre at Hollingbury he refused to be interviewed and laid on the floor of his cell covered with a blanket.

On June 16 he refused to leave his cell to be taken to court and when two sergeants went in to see him he lashed out striking one of the officers in the groin.

While he was restrained against the wall, he kicked out striking the other officer on the leg.

The officers used incapacitor spray on Marsh.

Marsh was released on bail on condition he reports daily to police and must abide by a night-time curfew.

He will be sentenced on July 7.