A “cunning and sinister” fantasist who carried out a terrifying armed robbery at Flannels in Southport robbed his first bank when he was just 15.
Tadiwa Chihota, 21, threatened staff in front of children, reinforcing his threats using a realistic-looking automatic pistol, at the Tulketh Street designer shop on May 29.
Chihota told his trial that a drug dealer made him drive him to the shop and that it was that man who carried out the raid, but he later admitted it was him, claiming he did it after being threatened over a drug debt.
Today Judge Andrew Menary, QC told him: “Generally speaking I don’t believe a word of what you are saying.”
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Chihota is no stranger to custody, having been sentenced to 40 months detention for robbing a bank on Breck Road, Anfield, with an imitation firearm when he was just 15 years old.
"Semi pro footballer"
Judge Menary told Chihota, who chose to represent himself: “I think generally you are something of a fantasist living in a Walter Mitty world, pretending to be something you are not, whether that is some sort of gangster or semi-professional footballer.”
The judge told Chihota, who has been offered a place on a BSc degree course in quantity surveying at John Moores University that he plainly has ability and intelligence.
He added: “But sadly you have have a cunning and sinister - and at times a very dishonest - streak and a willingness to commit serious offences."
Chihota, of Clovelly Road, Walton, was caught after a “spectacular” car crash in Ince Blundell following a high speed pursuit by armed police after the robbery.
The judge pointed out his driving had been “outrageous", saying: it was “a wonder you were not killed or seriously injured”.
Chihota was convicted earlier this month of robbery and possessing an imitation firearm - an unloaded BB gun - after a trial.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, handling stolen registration plates, fraudulently using the stolen plates on the car and possessing cannabis found at his home with intent to supply.
"Don't be a hero"
The court heard that Chihota, who had tried to disguise himself with a hat and large sunglasses, spent half an hour in Flannels in Tulketh Street selecting various designer items, worth £4,100, before getting them put into three bags.
He then produced the gun and threatened the manager, Grant Tindall, with it at close range - telling him “don’t be a hero”. He also threatened other staff before fleeing with one of the bags which contained two pairs of trainers worth £1,000.
Judge Menary said: “As you left you pointed the gun at the shoppers including people with children."
He fled in a Ford Fiesta which he had parked in a nearby street and it was followed by armed police along the Formby by-pass heading back towards Liverpool.
It reached 90mph and then turned off into a side road driving at 60mph before crashing into a garden wall in Victoria Road, Ince Blundell.
It ended up on its roof but Chihota clambered out of the wreckage and climbed over a garden fence before being caught by police and arrested.
Judge Menary jailed Chihota for nine years and him from driving for seven and a half years.
Chihota handed a letter to the judge from Tranmere Rovers College, confirming he had attended a course though dropped out. He maintained he had played football as part of his time at the college and that he had been a semi-professional footballer having played for Warrington and Litherland REMYCA teams.
"My father figure was television"
While giving evidence in his trial he claimed he had been rehabilitated after his earlier sentence and therapy showed that his motivation for that offence was the lack of a father figure.
He said: “My father figure was television."
He said he came from a family of lawyers, nurses, teachers and architects and his mum, a nurse, had handed him into police after the teenage robbery and following his release he “turned to Christianity”.
Detective Inspector Tony O'Brien said: "Chihota is a truly dangerous individual set on causing fear in our communities.
“Luckily, no one was injured during this incident and Chihota was thankfully detained quickly after these shocking events.
"We have taken the decision to release the footage of the manner in which Chihota was driving to highlight the danger he posed the public, and also to reassure the public about how professionally our officers go about their duties- the officers in this instance believed Chihota was armed and yet managed to detain him without injury to anyone.
“I’m pleased that he has been put before the courts and has received this sentence. I hope this reassures the public that we’ll continue tracing those set on committing crimes and bringing them to justice."
