By Gareth Davies

gareth.davies@essnmedia.co.uk

A team of bungling bandits backed a loser when they hatched a plot to rob a bookies with the help of an insider.

The plan was for Simon Goskal and Darren Dellaway to rob their friend, betting shop cashier Stuart Coleman, of a day's takings.

But after ambushing their pal in the street, the dopey pair fled with just a paying in book – leaving the cash behind.

This left their bemused "victim" wondering what to do with the £1,400 in cash, so he hid it under a bush before reporting the "robbery" to his bosses at William Hill, in Warlingham.

Meanwhile, the thieves made their escape in a car belonging to the getaway driver's mum, which was quickly traced.

It led to Simon Goskal, 26, Dellaway, 19, Coleman, 20, and a fourth man, Goskal's brother Martin, 22, appearing before Guildford Crown Court last week.

The four all pleaded guilty to theft.

Coleman, of King Henry Drive, New Addington, and Martin Goskal, of Foxcombe, New Addington, also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and obstructing police by making false statements.

It was also revealed that Dellaway and Martin Goskal, undeterred by the collapse of their plan, called in at the betting shop the same day, May 21.

They pretended they wanted to find out how their friend was, but in reality wanted to find out where the loot had been hidden.

Susannah Bramley, prosecuting, said: "[Coleman] maintained to both staff and the police that he had been a victim of robbery.

"He gave a detailed statement outlining his false allegations."

But that night police traced the registration number of the getaway car which was recorded by witnesses to Dellaway's home in Brierley, New Addington.

Interviewing him and Coleman led cops to the Goskal brothers.

James Mason, defending Coleman, described the scam as "immature" and said his client was "deeply sorry and apologises".

He explained: "Without Mr Coleman this couldn't have happened, he was clearly the prime mover and shaker but it wasn't particularly well thought out and the car was easily traceable."

Selwyn Shapiro, defending Dellaway, a trainee electrician, and Martin Goskal, a cleaner, told the court that both men came from supportive backgrounds.

He said: "Both flinch as they hear their names called on the court tannoy. You will never see them in court again."

Susan Richardson, defending Simon Goskal, a labourer and father-of-three of Lodge Road, New Addington, told the judge that he had played the robber because he wanted to protect his younger brother.

Recorder Robert Blomfield jailed Coleman for four months after telling him that he regarded his role as the most serious.

He said: "You were in a position of considerable trust and that trust was breached in a most serious way."

The other three schemers received eight-week prison sentences, suspended for two years and were each ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

They were also ordered to pay £1,400 compensation to William Hill between them.