A ROBBER from Top Valley was caught red-handed – when he posted a photo of his accomplice with stolen goods on Facebook.
Reece Winfield, 18, and Corey Hobson, 17, attacked a shopkeeper and stole cigarettes and alcohol from a Mansfield newsagents.
Three minutes later – 500 metres from the scene of their crime – Winfield took a photo of Hobson with the stolen goods and posted it on Facebook.
Watch a video of a petrol bomb being thrown onto the street below:He also uploaded a photograph of Hobson's bloodied finger, which he had injured during the robbery.
When someone shared a newspaper appeal about the incident at Ling Forest Newsagent's shop, in Ling Forest Court, Hobson commented "Hehehe that's me".
The pair's underwear was also shown above their low-slung trousers.
They were still wearing the same pants when officers arrested them two days later.
Detective Sergeant Phil Sims, of Mansfield CID, said: "These two made it very easy for us to track them down and, in the end, you could say they were well and truly caught with their pants down.
"They obviously thought it was funny to brag about their crime, sparing no thought for their victim who they left battered and bruised and counting the cost of their theft and damage."
Winfield and Hobson robbed the newsagents at about 1pm on Tuesday, February 5.
Two days earlier they had filmed themselves lighting and throwing a home-made petrol bomb into the street in Bakewell Drive, Top Valley.
Detectives found the video on Winfield's phone during the investigation into the Mansfield robbery.
Neighbourhood Inspector Andy Goodall said: "While there was no damage or injuries caused by the explosion, Winfield and Hobson's actions showed a reckless disregard for their own and other people's safety.
"The fact that they filmed their exploits and laughed at the bang suggests they were pretty happy with themselves.
"I doubt they are laughing now.
"It is by no means big or clever to play with fire and certainly not risk the lives of others.
"Under no circumstances will we tolerate this sort of lawless, dangerous behaviour."
Winfield, of Bakewell Drive, Top Valley, and Hobson, from Sheffield but of no fixed address, both pleaded guilty to the robbery and arson when they appeared at Nottingham Crown Court.
The two young men were each jailed for a total of three years.
Both received 32 months for the robbery and four months for attempted arson to run consecutively.
Judge Andrew Hamilton agreed to lift restrictions and allow minor Hobson to be named.
You can watch the video of the petrol bomb being thrown on the Post website at www.nottinghampost.co.uk.
