Man robbed ‘terrified’ children at gunpoint outside park

A teenager terrified two children by robbing them at gunpoint outside a North Yorkshire park.

The gun only fired plastic pellets but the children believed it was real.

Aden Symes, 18, of York Road in Selby, approached one of the boys outside Barlby Park on 9 August 2020.

Symes told the boy that “the park was out of order” and he couldn’t go in. When the boy argued that he could see other children playing in the park, Symes pulled the imitation firearm out of his pocket.

He claimed he was a police officer and that he needed to frisk the boy.

Prosecutor Daniel Cordey told York Crown Court that at that point, the boy’s friend arrived. Symes told the second boy he needed to frisk him too and ordered him to open his rucksack.

He took the boy’s mobile phone and on seeing it was locked with a passcode, he made the boy change the passcode before running off with it.

The two boys thought the BB gun, which fires plastic pellets, was real. In a statement, their parents said they were “terrified and in tears”.

Symes was later apprehended at a McDonalds restaurant where he was seen trying to get rid of his gun and still had the mobile phone.

‘Vulnerable, immature young man’

Aden Symes pleaded guilty to having an imitation firearm in a public place and to robbery. Defending him, barrister Andrew Semple said Symes was 17 at the time of the offence and it’s something he “regrets everyday”. Symes accepted that he scared the boys.

Andrew Semple told the court that Symes was adopted at a young age. A psychologist’s reports suggested he suffers from ADHD and he is very vulnerable to the influence of others.

At the time of the robbery, Symes was in his first relationship with a woman who was a few years older than him. The couple both used cannabis but his girlfriend told Symes that she was being threatened by her drug dealer ex boyfriend.

The dealer came to the house for money he was owed. Symes was giving her as much money as he could afford from his job at McDonalds, but it was never enough. Symes resorted to the robbery in the park in a desperate bid to solve the situation.

Andrew Semple told the court that since his arrest, Symes had “transformed” his life. His relationship ended and it is now clear to him that his ex girlfriend’s claims that she was in fear and being threatened weren’t true.

She was using his money simply for drugs. After losing his job, Symes had established a successful painting and decorating business and had the support of his parents.

Symes had also undergone a ‘talking support’ course with the local authority of his own volition. He’s also taken on a voluntary role as a ‘care champion’ which involves helping teachers understand the impact adoption can have on pupils.

Reports submitted to the court showed that Symes was a ‘vulnerable, immature young man’ who could be rehabilitated with help from the probation service.

Sentencing Symes to a sixteen month prison term suspended for 18 months, Judge Hickey told him, “I am prepared to give you a chance”.

The judge continued: “Where you were at that stage in your life – a year ago – you were in an abusive relationship.

“You have undiagnosed ADHD. You’ve weaned yourself off drugs with no real help. In your case, I’m satisfied, having not committed any other offence (since), that there is a clear alternative to custody.”

Ordering Symes to undergo 25 rehabilitative days and 150 hours of unpaid work, Judge Hickey warned him: “If you commit any offence in the next 18 months- I’ll simply impose the prison sentence. If you breach my trust I will lock you up.”