ALEX CLOUGH SANDERS CAUGHT IN PLYMOUTH AFTER RANSACKING PUB CELLAR AND ESCAPING WITH £2,000 WORTH OF ALCOHOL
In January 2019, a disturbing incident unfolded at a popular pub in Plymouth when the landlord, Steve Bowen, discovered that his establishment had been targeted by a persistent and notorious offender.The culprit, identified as Alex Clough, also known as Sanders, was caught after a series of illegal entries into the Stoke Inn's cellar, where he attempted to steal spirits, cider, and wine valued at approximately £2,000.
Clough, aged 26 at the time, had a troubling criminal history dating back to his early teens.
He was first sentenced at the age of just 14 for attempted rape and robbery in 2007.
His criminal record also includes a five-year imprisonment in 2007 for robbing youths in the street and an assault on a 14-year-old girl, whom he pushed into an alley with the apparent intent to commit a sexual assault.
On the night of the burglary, Clough managed to sneak down the stairs of the Stoke Inn six times, each time attempting to steal alcohol from the cellar.
His repeated attempts were eventually thwarted when landlord Steve Bowen noticed that the door to the stockroom was left unlocked after a busy Friday night.
Recognizing the potential theft, Bowen posted CCTV images of the suspect on Facebook, which led to Clough's identification and subsequent arrest.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Clough, who was recently residing in Plymouth, pleaded guilty to the burglary charge on December 15.
In addition to the theft, he admitted to assaulting a police officer during an incident in Andover on October 20.
Furthermore, Clough failed to provide authorities with his current address, violating registration requirements in Hampshire.
Judge Paul Darlow sentenced Clough to a total of seven months in prison.
In his remarks, the judge condemned Clough's conduct, stating, “You behaved in a repulsive manner.
You then made all the right noises to probation and said you were going to turn your life around.
You show how much you regret your behaviour by going on to burgle the public house.” Judith Constable, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, highlighted the significance of the CCTV footage and the landlord’s vigilance in preventing further thefts.
The case underscores the ongoing issues of repeat offenders and the importance of community efforts in crime prevention in Plymouth.
