Drink and drug binge robber locked in safe by quick-thinking security guard

David Russell was trying to open a safe at the Redhurst Quarry in Essington.

But security guard Michael Carrington slammed a door shut and locked Russell in.

Russell, who used to work at the quarry and avoided a prison sentence 'by a whisker', remembers nothing of the incident, Stafford Crown Court heard.

The 25-year-old, of Thames Road, had also smoked cannabis and taken M-Cat (mephedrone) during his drink and drug binge.

The defendant, his face masked by a jumper, had threatened security guard Mr Carrington with a metal pole and told him to lead him to the cabin with the safe.

Miss Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said Russell turned up at the quarry around 6.30am on November 1 last year and confronted the security guard, saying he did not want to hurt him.

The two men went in to the cabin, Russell demanded the keys, which were put on the the table and the guard was told not to move.

Miss Cortese said: "Russell went straight to the key safe, as he was attempting to open the safe, Mr Carrington seized his opportunity, he slammed the door of the container, locking the defendant inside and called the police."

Russell, who had worked at the quarry for a few weeks, was arrested and he told officers his friend's car had broken down and they were stranded. The next thing he recalled was waking up in the cabin.

Mr Tariq Shakoor, defending, said: "The police did actually investigate this defendant's account of being with friends, having broken down and the police did find the vehicle. They did speak to friends of his and were able to confirm the vehicle had run out of fuel.

"He was under the influence of a mixture of a huge amount of alcohol and a mixture of drugs. He simply left the vehicle, wandered off, picked up a golf shaft from a travellers' site and ended up at the place where he previously worked."

Russell admitted a charge of attempted robbery and was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to do 300 hours unpaid community work and given a curfew for three months.

But Recorder Mr Adam Feest told him: "You have escaped prison by a whisker.

"You had drunk 30-plus shots, smoked cannabis, taken cocaine and M-Cat.

"I'm amazed you were able to walk after that. I accept that this was opportunistic, you have shown remorse.

"I must bear in mind this was only an attempt, mainly through the presence of mind of Mr Carrington rather than anything you did.

"But for this one night you have more or less led a law-abiding life since 2009.

"I am just persuaded to suspended the sentence, but I am going to make you a promise - I am going to reserve any breaches to myself and if you breach this order I'll make time to come back and send you to prison."