A 49-year-old man who was chased out of a Winshill pub by its landlord, having stolen more than £2,000 in broad daylight, has been jailed.
Robert Espie walked into The Sump last year, then pretended to wait for his wife, before opening a private door and running off with £2,470 in cash.
Espie appeared at Stafford Crown Court to admit entering The Sump, in Newton Road, Winshill, as a trespasser and allegedly stealing £2,470, on March 18 last year.
In a separate charge, he also admitted entering The Barley pub, in Stapenhill, as a trespasser with intent to steal, on the same day.
The Burton Mail previously reported that customers were eating their meals, when a tall white male tore through The Sump.
The landlord, Martin Mitchell, said that the man walked into the pub and pretended to wait for his wife.
Then he entered a private door at the back of the pub, stealing £2,470 in cash from the safe. He then escaped in a blue Ford Focus but was chased by the landlord, who grazed his knee and elbow in a fall during the fracas.
Mr Mitchell previously said he felt worse because the burglar walked in while the pub was still open and helped himself.
He said Espie took a menu before sitting down to "wait for his wife". Mr Mitchell then heard the back door close as it makes a very distinctive noise.
He realised cash was missing from the safe and later chased Espie into the car park, putting his hands on the back of the car to try to stop him driving away.
The car continued to reverse so Mr Mitchell was forced to move to the side of the car.
He managed to open the front passenger door. At that point the driver wheel-spinned out of the car park and Mr Mitchell went flying.
Staffordshire detectives later released a police appeal following the burglary which happened just before 4pm on March 18 last year.
Espie, of Irwell, Tamworth, was jailed for 12 months when he appeared at Stafford Crown Court.
