Messaging service WhatsApp caught out a bungling crook who robbed two delivery drivers at gunpoint to steal a motorbike.
Hazar Mahamet, 20, pretended that he wanted to buy the Honda bike after it was advertised for sale on the website Gumtree.
He was tracked by police to his home in Kelvin Grove, Toxteth, where officers found a gold Rolex watch in his bedroom.
But bungling Mahamet had been wearing the same watch in a picture he sent to the seller on WhatsApp, showing him holding a fistful of cash with which he said he would buy the bike.
And even after robbing the two drivers he tried to escape on the bike – only to find there was no fuel in the tank.
He was forced to push the £1,000 bike away and was captured on CCTV cameras.
Steven Robson, from Darlington, advertised the bike for sale in July last year.
He was contacted by Mahamet on WhatsApp, who said he would buy it as long as Mr Robson arranged for its delivery at 3pm on July 14.
Mahamet gave an address of Brahms Close, Toxteth and provided a second mobile phone number.
The Honda motorbike Hazar Mahamet robbed at gunpoint
Delivery drivers Michael Lang and his nephew Paul Baveridge, of BNS Recoveries, contacted the defendant as they travelled to Liverpool.
When they arrived Mahamet asked for the bike to be taken off the van so he could sit on it.
Mr Baveridge became suspicious when Mahamet said he could not use his toilet as he did not have keys for his house.
The victim asked for the cash, at which point a second man appeared, who has never been identified.
Kevin Slack, prosecuting, said “The defendant unzipped his jacket, put his hand inside and removed what the victims described as a black revolver with a silver tip.
“Mr Baveridge could see the barrel was loaded, although the Crown accepts the gun was an imitation.
“That of course was not the impression Mr Baveridge was left with. The defendant pointed the gun at him and said ‘give me the bike’.
“The victim immediately stepped away, put his hands in the air and said ‘take it’.
“There was no fuel in the bike so within 10 metres it ran out of petrol.”
The pictures of cash Hazar Mahamet sent the seller of the motorbike showing him wearing a gold Rolex watch discovered in his bedroom
Two days before a trial Mahamet admitted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.
Julian Nutter, defending, said his client was “young and immature”.
He said: “He has shown remorse. He is sorry he was stupid back then.”
Judge Anil Murray said Mahamet lured the delivery drivers to the scene and produced a “very realistic imitation firearm”.
He said: “That must have been a terrifying ordeal.”
Jailing Mahamet for five years, the judge added: “You say you are remorseful – I am not sure that is genuine.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/