Burglar ransacked Beeston nursery for tablets and punched B&M Bargains worker in the jaw days later

A burglar ransacked a children’s day nursery in a Nottinghamshire town before punching a shop worker outside a bargain store three days later. Gary Parnell, 41, caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage when he smashed his way into The Orchard Day Nursery in Nether Street, Beeston, on Sunday, April 7.

Parnell was caught on CCTV as he smashed the nursery's door before rummaging around for valuables inside at around 9am in the morning. He took five electronic tablets from the building and then left with the ill-gotten gains in his bag.

Parnell, of no fixed address, later stole a mountain bike from a shed on Marina Avenue, Chilwell, at around 8.35am on April 19. He was arrested in Nottingham city centre following an investigation into these crimes and was subsequently charged.

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He pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary which he was sentenced for at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday, April 26. Parnell also pleaded guilty to offences of theft and assault by beating of a shop worker at the B&M Bargains store at the Castle Marina Retail Park, in Nottingham, on April 10.

The worker was watching CCTV cameras when his attention was drawn to Parnell who was acting suspiciously near the vapes. He then left the store with a stolen vape in his pocket.

After the staff member chased him outside, Parnell punched the staff member in the jaw before riding off on a bike. Parnell also admitted carrying out an earlier shop theft, on April 3, when he stole £110 worth of cheese from the Co-op in Beckhampton Road, Bestwood.

He was jailed for a total of six months and ordered to pay £100 compensation. Inspector Mike Ebbins, District Commander for Broxtowe, said: “Parnell showed a blatant disregard for people and their property when he carried out these appalling crimes.

“To target and break into a children’s nursery and then steal key equipment used to teach young children is despicable, let alone the cost of the damage and distress he caused.

“Being a victim of burglary and theft can leave people feeling scared and vulnerable and can have a long-lasting impact. Our message to those who commit these types of offences is clear: we will not tolerate this behaviour, you will be caught and arrested, and you will be prosecuted.

“It’s also totally unacceptable that a shop worker was assaulted by Parnell when he was just doing his job. Retail staff should not have to put up with violence or fear for their safety.

“We continue to work with and support our local retailers in tackling shop theft. These offences have a huge impact on local businesses and the wider community, and we will continue to work hard to identify and disrupt prolific offenders and bring them to justice.”