Man, 29, jailed after attempted robbery incident in Aldershot

A man has today been jailed for more than three years after pleading guilty to attempted robbery following an incident in Aldershot.

Darren Watts, 29, from Alexandra Road, Aldershot, appeared at Winchester Crown Court today (Monday 5 December).

He was charged with attempted robbery after a 78-year-old man was followed into the public toilets in Manor Park, assaulted and had money demanded from him on Friday 25 February this year.

Watts admitted one count of attempted robbery and was sentenced to three years and nine months at Winchester Crown Court.

He also admitted theft of a pedal cycle following an incident in Aldershot on the same day and today received a one-month sentence to run concurrently to his attempted robbery sentence.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Thomas Bailey, from Northern CID, said: “This was an unprovoked, violent attack on an elderly victim, which took place while he was on his morning walk.

“The contribution of the local community was vital to this investigation, and I would like to thank those who assisted in identifying Darren Watts.

“I also wish to recognise the collaborative work of officers from Aldershot Response and Patrol, and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, who assisted in securing key evidence.

“This led to the early identification and arrest of Watts, who was remanded into custody after being charged.

“Offences like this are thankfully rare, but I hope today’s sentence demonstrates our commitment to pursuing dangerous offenders in Hampshire.”