Theft trial collapses after second man seen on CCTV

Keith Collison, 48, of St Michael’s Street, denied breaking into a locked Vauxhall Corsa in the New Cross pub’s car park on Outram Street in Sutton, in the early hours of December 27, last year.

Mr Collison did not attend the trial at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 11.

Harbinder Gahir, prosecuting, said: “CCTV captured an individual smashing the off-side window of the car.

“The same person is seen exiting with the car stereo.”

In interview, Mr Collison was asked to explain his movements that night, but gave a no comment response.

Police Sergeant Martin Severn told the court he identified Mr Collison from the black and white CCTV footage which showed several angles of the car park.

He said: “I have been an officer for 14 years. I have known Keith Collison probably throughout those 14 years.

“I am quite satisfied that the person in the CCTV was Keith Collison.”

The court watched the footage, which Mr Gahir described as ‘not of the best quality’, which showed a man in a light coloured coat break into the car at around 4.40am.

But around 30 minutes later, the cameras also showed a figure in a different coat and a light coloured hat and white shoes, who was clearly seen kicking the car.

Sergeant Severn agreed with Michael Little, defending, that it was impossible to see the second man’s face.

He said: “I took the opinion that it was the same man from the way he walks and his shoes.”

Mr Gahir dismissed the case on the basis of no evidence.

He told magistrates: “I was relying on the evidence of this officer.”

Magistrates decided not to take any action against Mr Collison for his non-attendance.