Baby-faced robber who feasted at McDonald's faces jail

Serial crook Daniel Hone’s 24-hour spree saw him go on to burgle a house in Sandford-on-Thames just 14 hours after putting a knife to his first victim’s throat and rifling through his pockets.

He used bank cards stolen in the dawn break-in on May 22 to enjoy a breakfast feast at McDonald’s in Oxford city centre.

And later that evening he was back in Botley, threatening staff at the Co-op with what they thought was a weapon.

A jury was sworn in to hear 33-year-old Hone’s trial at Oxford Crown Court on Monday (October 16).

But after listening to prosecutor Oliver Weetch’s opening of the case against him, during which crystal-clear CCTV footage showed Hone at the scene of all three incidents, the defendant performed a volte-face and pleaded guilty to the two robberies and the burglary.

The Co-op store in Botley was targeted by Daniel Hone in May Picture: Oxford Mail (Image: Oxford Mail)

Hone stole alcohol from the Co-op in Botley Picture: Oxford Mail (Image: Oxford Mail)

Defending, Gareth James said the plea to the second robbery – at the Co-op in Botley – was entered on the basis that he did not have a weapon in his hand.

The trial judge, Recorder Alexander McGregor, adjourned sentencing until Friday, October 20, when he faces a significant prison sentence. Hone, previously of no fixed address, was remanded in custody.

Earlier, Mr Weetch said the first victim was walking on West Way, Botley, at around 4.30pm on May 21 when he had a knife put to his throat and was ordered to hand over his cash.

“The victim said he didn’t have any money, but this defendant put his hands into his pocket and removed £4 in loose change,” the prosecutor said.

The mugged man got a ‘good look’ at the robber, as did occupants of passing cars.

The drivers followed hooded Hone to the Travis Perkins builders yard, opposite Seacourt Tower, where the defendant could be seen on CCTV hiding behind building materials then calmly crossing the yard.

An old police mugshot of Daniel Hone Picture: Thames Valley Police (Image: Thames Valley Police)

At 6.19am the following morning, doorbell camera footage caught Hone in Sandford-on-Thames, wheeling his bicycle and casually trying to open a car door handle.

The footage helped frame the thief when, later, it emerged that a house in Henley Road had been burgled.

Cards stolen in the break-in were later used by Hone in McDonald’s and Sainsbury’s in Oxford between 8am and 8.30am. Having seemingly ditched his bicycle, Hone had been seen on CCTV catching a bus from Sandford to Oxford at 7.30am.

Just 12 hours later, he was back in Botley - this time shoplifting alcohol. He was challenged by staff at the Co-op who caught him trying to walk out of their store with a basket of spirits.

But they backed off and let him get away with the bagful of booze after seeing what to them appeared to be a weapon in his hand.

Hone, who was on licence at the time after an earlier prison release, was arrested the following day. Found on him was a multi-tool knife and a nail, the court heard.

He had a number of previous convictions for dishonesty, the court was told. He was a ‘third strike’ burglar, with at least three previous convictions for house break-ins on his record, meaning he must receive a three-year prison sentence.

One of the victims was mugged at knife point on the West Way, beneath the A34 overpass Picture: Oxford Mail (Image: Oxford Mail)

He had a limited record for violence. In 2012, a judge jailed him for three years for causing actual bodily harm to a 19-month-old baby girl.

The child was left with 28 separate injuries, including bite marks, in what Recorder John Hardy KC called a ‘sustained and savage assault’.

The bizarre charging decision left the irate judge to question why the Crown Prosecution Service had not charged him with causing grievous bodily harm.