Banana robbery slip-up

Robert Downey (no relation to the actor) had the mask and attitude to be a successful robber.

But he ruined the effect when he tried to hold up his local bookmaker's in east London using a banana.

Noting the suspicious bend in the "weapon", a shop assistant called police. Downey was jailed for nearly seven years for attempted robbery.

He had pointed the fruit wrapped in a plastic bag, screaming, "I want the money or I will [expletive] shoot you."

Assistant Peter Humphrey calmly turned to a colleague and said: "He said he has a gun, but it might be a banana."