‘Robin Hood’ Jailed as British Burglar

Saying the public must be protected from Robin Hoods, a judge has sentenced a 70-year-old grandfather to 3 1/2-years in jail for carrying out burglaries to finance beach trips for deprived children and elderly couples.

Edward Gibbs was described by Old Bailey criminal court Judge Jack Abdela as a latter-day Robin Hood, the legendary English bandit and folk hero of the Middle Ages who stole from the rich to give to the poor.

“It is no use even in this day and age being a Robin Hood,” the judge said before passing sentence Monday.

“You were loved by many people but were not putting your hand into your own pocket,” said Abdela, who noted Gibbs’ long criminal record for previous offenses.

Gibbs, who was treasurer of a youth club in a poor southeast London district, pleaded guilty to stealing tools valued at $317,500 from service stations throughout London.

The silver-haired, bespectacled Gibbs told the court he had been deprived as a child “and hated seeing others going the same way. I saw children and old folk who have got nothing. It was not for my benefit.”