'Haphazard' Leeds ATM Robbers Who Targeted Beeston Off-Licence Jailed After Leaving B&Q Receipt at Scene

Two inept robbers who planned a knife-point heist targeting a cash-in-transit worker at an off-licence in Beeston, Leeds, have been jailed. John Battman and David Garland were convicted at Leeds Crown Court in August 2025 following a series of amateurish mistakes that left police with an easy trail of clues.

The robbery took place on August 11, 2024, at the AK Off Licence on Beeston Road. The pair targeted a worker who was in the process of refilling the store's ATM, successfully escaping with a haul of £3,600. However, their escape plan and attempt to avoid identification quickly fell apart.

Detectives investigating the scene discovered a crucial piece of physical evidence: a B&Q receipt for the purchase of the protective coveralls the men wore during the robbery. This receipt allowed officers to trace the purchase back to the store and obtain security footage of the defendants buying the clothing. Furthermore, the pair had used a family member's car to flee the scene, which was quickly flagged by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

In addition to the physical clues, police recovered Battman's mobile phone, which contained damning digital evidence. On the device, detectives found video footage recorded by Battman days before the robbery. The video showed Battman "scoping" the Beeston off-licence, chuckling as he noted that there was only a single worker handling the ATM cash transfer. Both men were handed lengthy custodial sentences at Leeds Crown Court for robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.