Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for raider who threatened to chop customer's head off

Date
2017-07-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Lusk

County
Dublin

Summary

George Simpson, aged 30, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for attempting to rob the Rush Post Office on 28 November 2016. He entered armed with an air pistol and a hatchet, threatened to chop a customer's head off, and smashed a glass panel in front of the tills. Simpson pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to rob, production of a weapon, threat to kill or cause serious harm, and criminal damage. The judge, after viewing CCTV footage, noted the incident was frightening for staff and customers, and that Simpson's behaviour was out of character. His final 18 months were suspended, leaving an effective custodial term of four years and six months. Simpson has since moved out of his shared home and has begun attending a psychologist. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for raider who threatened to chop customer's head off. Charges or matters: attempted robbery, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to rob, production of a weapon, threat to kill or cause serious harm and criminal damage at Rush Post Office, Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin on November 28, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 28, 2016 Incident
July 11 Adjournment
2017-07-20 Publication

Why: Counsel said the "nature of the crime was such a huge shock to his wife" because although Simpson has 15 previous convictions, they are for more minor offences that have been dealt with in the District Court. CNI source report

Case subjects

George Simpson

Defendant

Charges: attempted robbery, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to rob, production of a weapon, threat to kill or cause serious harm and criminal damage at Rush Post Office, Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin on November 28, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Garda Ross Rowan told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, at a sentence hearing earlier this month, that the staff member behind the desk ran into the back office for safety after Simpson threatened to chop the head off a male customer if she didn't hand over cash.; Simpson had been living in his car before he was remanded in custody after evidence was heard on July 11, last.