Outrage over scooter theft case (From Southend Standard)
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Outrage over scooter theft case
9:00am Thursday 13th December 2012 in Echo News
The victim of a burglar who was caught out thanks to quick-thinking Facebook users had admitted she is outraged after the perpetrator got off the hook.
Members of the Basildon Memories Facebook page helped snare Edward Goble, 28, after the victim Pauline van Dijk posted images of the thief walking away with her grandson’s scooter after he broken into her garage on November 20.
Within minutes, eagle eyed members of the 4,000-strong group had identified Goble and he was arrested hours later.
Despite being swiftly arrested and making a full admission to officers, the charge was withdrawn at Basildon Magistrates’ Court yesterday. (Dec 11)
Ms van Dijk said: “Personally, he was caught bang to rights.
“Basically, the CCTV pictures proved he was there and that he took the stuff, plus he admitted it and when the police caught him the same night he was in the same clothes.”
Goble has mental health problems and the Echo understands the case fell down because police did not interview him with another adult.
Essex Police claims that Goble was assessed by a healthcare professional and was deemed fit to be interviewed without another adult being present.
A police spokesman added: “It is unfortunate that this case could not be proceeded and we will be looking to see if our procedures could be tightened up to ensure that this does not occur again.”
The police also said they did not contact the victim or any other witnesses has Goble had admitted to the offence.
Ms van Dijk added: “Whether he has mental health problems or not, he knows stealing off people is wrong."
The scooter was worth £400 but it was recovered.
Goble also appeared at court yesterday on another charge of attempted burglary at a house in Soane Street, Basildon on July 15.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to the offence and was handed a 12 month community order, including supervision, and ordered to go on a mental health treatment course.
After his sentence was passed, he said: “I know it was wrong to commit the offence.”
Comments(21)
notinwestcliffanymore
says...
9:56am Thu 13 Dec 12
EthanEdwards
says...
10:06am Thu 13 Dec 12
On the other hand YOU go 1mph over a 30mph limit and the plod are all over your backside. While Mr Gobble gets away with anything he wants.
Is he a freemason as well?
emcee
says...
11:25am Thu 13 Dec 12
Unfortunately, vigilantism is but a short breath away.
JuliaM
says...
11:41am Thu 13 Dec 12
tricklesthegreek
says...
11:52am Thu 13 Dec 12
chunkus10
says...
12:02pm Thu 13 Dec 12
the whole justice system in this country stinks.....This is due to in part, years of tory and labour distroying our once 'GREAT' Country!!
iknowbetter
says...
12:17pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Worse still if a case is brought and won and the criminal gets a custodial he/she can feel happy in the fact that if they wanted to they could emerge from prison with a degree in what ever subject they want all paid for by the tax payer, while honest hardworking folk who want a degree have to pay huge university fees and face a lifetime of paying back the debt incurred, It would seem crime does pay..
Eric Whim
says...
12:57pm Thu 13 Dec 12
after he broken into her garage on November 20.
after he broke
or
after he had broken
EthanEdwards
says...
1:14pm Thu 13 Dec 12
tricklesthegreek wrote:The CPS want video film of him planning and committing the robbery and this has to be verified by all of the burglars great grandparents before they will prosecute.
I feel for these people. I was burgled back in January and the police found my stuff in the burglar's house after a raid and after I tipped them off as I had location software that told my phone where my laptop was. That went to court and got kicked out again. The DC working on the case was as annoyed as I was because he was also bang to rights, caught red handed, however you want to say it. The judicial system needs some serious attention because the police are doing all they can to get these people off the streets and then the courts boot it out because 'it doesn't stand up'. What more do the CPS want, to actually see the burglars committing the offense? Even then they'd probably let them get off. Very frustrating indeed.
You on the other hand should you attempt to actually stop the burglar will find yourself done for assault before you can say 'but I was the victim!'.
Tony Martin's only mistake was to not shoot all of the gang and not to dispose of the carcasses and keep quiet about it.
Vigilante justice is obviously what the CPS want. Looks like it's going to happen and soon.
shallotman
says...
2:32pm Thu 13 Dec 12
A Pedant
says...
3:02pm Thu 13 Dec 12
probably because of Jayman and his cohorts abusing the facility on all airport related stories.
Walt Jabsco
says...
3:40pm Thu 13 Dec 12
SpiffSpaffington1984
says...
4:09pm Thu 13 Dec 12
firedog
says...
4:41pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Walt Jabsco wrote:It is if you are a criminal.
British Justice....best in the world!
Brunning999
says...
4:52pm Thu 13 Dec 12
What faith have we in The Criminal Justice System?
Nebs
says...
8:04am Fri 14 Dec 12
EthanEdwards wrote:CPS, Criminals Protection Service.
tricklesthegreek wrote:The CPS want video film of him planning and committing the robbery and this has to be verified by all of the burglars great grandparents before they will prosecute.
I feel for these people. I was burgled back in January and the police found my stuff in the burglar's house after a raid and after I tipped them off as I had location software that told my phone where my laptop was. That went to court and got kicked out again. The DC working on the case was as annoyed as I was because he was also bang to rights, caught red handed, however you want to say it. The judicial system needs some serious attention because the police are doing all they can to get these people off the streets and then the courts boot it out because 'it doesn't stand up'. What more do the CPS want, to actually see the burglars committing the offense? Even then they'd probably let them get off. Very frustrating indeed.
You on the other hand should you attempt to actually stop the burglar will find yourself done for assault before you can say 'but I was the victim!'.
Tony Martin's only mistake was to not shoot all of the gang and not to dispose of the carcasses and keep quiet about it.
Vigilante justice is obviously what the CPS want. Looks like it's going to happen and soon.
Nebs
says...
8:16am Fri 14 Dec 12
chunkus10 wrote:I wonder what will happen to Margaret Moran.
so what this says to me is i can go out on the rob, and cause untold amount of stress and anguish to to my victims and can get away with it simply by saying i have mental health issuses.... hmmm
the whole justice system in this country stinks.....This is due to in part, years of tory and labour distroying our once 'GREAT' Country!!
SpiffSpaffington1984
says...
12:12pm Fri 14 Dec 12
EthanEdwards
says...
1:14pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Nebs wrote:She got off with a token slap on the wrist.
chunkus10 wrote: so what this says to me is i can go out on the rob, and cause untold amount of stress and anguish to to my victims and can get away with it simply by saying i have mental health issuses.... hmmm the whole justice system in this country stinks.....This is due to in part, years of tory and labour distroying our once 'GREAT' Country!!I wonder what will happen to Margaret Moran.
listen2me
says...
4:06pm Sat 15 Dec 12
It is unfortunate that a solicitor can find a 'technicality' that allows a criminal to walk off without a care. Mr Goble even admitted afterwards that he knew he was wrong for doing it. Sounds like someone that knows exactly what they are doing.
I have now created another group titled 'unsolved crimes Basildon'. I am hoping that this gets this group helps catch the bad guys.
I would like to thank all the members for their help in catching this man and to not be put off from helping again after hearing this result.
Better luck next time I say
Ian Clarke
Walt Jabsco says...
9:47am Thu 13 Dec 12