46 replies to this topic

[Dolph]

Banker takes steering wheel from Mercedes-Benz world. Claims he was pranked. Gets off.

That's one of the most ridiculous stories I've heared. Sure, it could be true...


http://www.getsurrey...rosberg-8660693


What's funny is also the police coming to his house and taking the wrong wheel. Effectively stealing one themselves...

Edited by SophieB, 19 February 2015 - 20:01.

[CHIUNDA]

Not the kind of guy I want to be my banker. He did not even attempt to verify anything. I am surprised he didn't receive some form punishment. That story does NOT sound convincing but I guess legally the most important thing is he made efforts to ensure Mercedes got back their steering wheel.

[Nonesuch]

Having personally experienced how much of a hassle it can be to document, verify, transport, not to mention insure, objects from museums or archives, the description of this 'prank' was very convincing indeed.

 

 

He added that Mr Butcher then opened his jacket, put it over the steering wheel and "yanked" it from the display at around 4.55pm, before walking out of the building with the steering wheel under his arm. (...)

 

"I have been approached by other people in the past. I wanted to help Mercedes-Benz World, it was a favour."

 

Good stuff! I wouldn't even be surprised if he actually believes his own version of events.

[ninetyzero]

In the UK bankers can do whatever they like with legal impunity. Didn't you know?

[Brother Fox]

Still one of the most moral bankers though

[NoSanityClause]

He told Toto Wolff he needed to make a point.

[Brazzers]

The Wolff of Brooklands 

[f1RacingForever]

What does Mr. Poole have to say about this. They didn't try to contact him? Are we to believe he didn't tell Mercedes that a $20k wheel was going to be removed from the building? Lol how naive can you be? 

Edited by SophieB, 19 February 2015 - 18:33.

[Brother Fox]

If the universe has a sense of humour the next time someone robs or embezzles from that bank they will use the same story

[Elba]

Funny and crazy story, thanks for that 

Nobody or nothing was hurt so I can live with the outcome, no problem

[ensign14]

Bankers, eh?  You can't live with 'em, and you can't run through 'em with a chainsaw dipped in rabies.

[Jimisgod]

Did he use the old Bernie $100 million payment defence?

[CoolBreeze]

I wonder what the Top Gear team will say about this..

[Brazzers]

Why the hate against Bankers?

 

 

Not all of them are what the media portrays or even perceived. 

[ninetyzero]

Why the hate against Bankers?

 

 

Not all of them are what the media portrays or even perceived. 

 

Because they are greedy, amoral sociopaths who ruined the economy.

 

No, I'm sure they're much worse...

[Treads]

The man was found innocent in a court of law, who are you lot to judge him guilty on the basis of one article?

I really hate this sarcastic crap that gets brought out in cases like this. If he had been a scumbag he probably would not have been caught.

[tifosiMac]

I wonder if he accidentally dropped all those Red Bull trophies in that lake a few months back? Cheeky scallywag 

[learningtobelost]

The man was found innocent in a court of law, who are you lot to judge him guilty on the basis of one article?

I really hate this sarcastic crap that gets brought out in cases like this. If he had been a scumbag he probably would not have been caught.

 

While I appreciate the fact that there is clearly something missing from the article, based on the evidence we have been presented, as the general public, it looks mighty suspicious. 

There are several unanswered questions:

1) If he had genuinely believed that he was being employed by Mercedes to repair the wheel why did he not think to inform someone that he was removing it?
2) Why did a respected professional agree to undertake work without any kind of paper trail.  There's no way I'd take possession of anyones goods without getting a receipt or other documentation.
3) Why did he slip it into his jacket?
4) Why would he not question why Mercedes would approach him at a racetrack, one hundred odd miles away to broker a deal. Why would he not follow it up.  Why wouuld he believe that Mercedes needed him to find someone to repair an item that they themselves had manufactured.

There are really only two options as I see it.  This guy was stupid enough to think he could wander out of Mercedes World with an F1 steering wheel. Or, this guy was stupid enough to think that Mercedes needed his help, but wouldn't bother to inform them that he was taking it.  The police and CPS clearly thought the former was the case.

[tmekt]

Maybe I'm naive but I believe his story. 

[kayemod]

Best thing for me is the Prosecutor's name, Shittu, you'd think that the paper would have worked that into the story somehow, but maybe they're too "respectable" in Surrey for anything like that. The guy might have more or less "got off", but his career prospects have taken a real hammering, with a criminal record, he's made himself unpromotable.

[Brother Fox]

The more I think about it, he's possibly just a massive Hamilton fan who's turned trolling up to 11.

It may have been his plan all along to hand the Rosberg wheel back publicly saying "I have a world champion theme to my collection, I have no use for this"

Edited by Brother Fox, 18 February 2015 - 12:24.

[jjcale]

All you had to say was "Banker ....... gets off" and leave us to fill in blanks .... and in those blanks it could have been just about anything.

[Dolph]

Why the hate against Bankers?

 

 

Not all of them are what the media portrays or even perceived. 

 

Because it makes the average Joe feel good about themselves - there are evil greedy men out there who prevent the average Joe from being wealthy. Its all their fault.
 

[AustinF1]

Best thing for me is the Prosecutor's name, Shittu, you'd think that the paper would have worked that into the story somehow, but maybe they're too "respectable" in Surrey for anything like that. The guy might have more or less "got off", but his career prospects have taken a real hammering, with a criminal record, he's made himself unpromotable.

He would only end up with a record if convicted, no?

 

Re: my banker remark, I was only joking around. Pretty much any profession can be poked at. Cue the firefighter jokes....

Edited by AustinF1, 18 February 2015 - 18:18.

[kayemod]

He would only end up with a record if convicted, no?

 

 

Only up to a point, there's such a thing in the UK as "Advanced disclosure", an employer or prospective employer can request this from a Chief Constable, within whose discretion it lies. This would also reveal any arrests, charges dismissed, charges pending, and even charges of which the individual has been acquitted. I'm not a lawyer, so don't quote me on this, but I suspect that asking for this is common with any position involving child or healthcare, handling sizeable sums of money etc. In this particular case, I think the guy's employers would have to seriously call into question the man's intelligence, after what's been reported about the "joke" the sucker claims to have fallen for.

[Clatter]

Best thing for me is the Prosecutor's name, Shittu, you'd think that the paper would have worked that into the story somehow, but maybe they're too "respectable" in Surrey for anything like that. The guy might have more or less "got off", but his career prospects have taken a real hammering, with a criminal record, he's made himself unpromotable.

What criminal record? 

[jjcale]

This is the best bit;

 

He said: "I believed I took the wheel in good faith. It would be utterly incongruous with my collection [to keep it]."

Mr Butcher added that the steering wheel in question was a replica of the one used by Nico Rosberg in 2012, when he came ninth in the F1 world championship, whereas his collection had a "world champion" theme.

 

 

[tmekt]

I have a bridge for sale. Interested?

**** I already spent my money yesterday to buy the exclusive rights to sell sand to Saudi Arabia that's another missed opportunity then 

Edited by tmekt, 18 February 2015 - 20:09.

[LORDBYRON]

Bankers lie? 

[Brazzers]

Because it makes the average Joe feel good about themselves - there are evil greedy men out there who prevent the average Joe from being wealthy. Its all their fault.
 

 

Agreed, +1. 

 

I'd like to add the ones who are wealthy aren't the average asshole, douchebag portrayed on movies or the media that follow proper methods and far from illegal or questionable tactics.

[275 GTB-4]

Agreed, +1. 
 
I'd like to add the ones who are wealthy aren't the average asshole, douchebag portrayed on movies or the media that follow proper methods and far from illegal or questionable tactics.

quite right...more like the grinning, slick charm the socks off a Granny type...

PS you look quite fetching in those hot pants

[MikeV1987]

Why the hate against Bankers?

 

 

Not all of them are what the media portrays or even perceived. 

Probably because people are still pissed about bailing them out.

[275 GTB-4]

Probably because people are still pissed about bailing them out.

and in Australia, for the obscene profits they make in a regime they seem to control...some courageous politician needs to bring them to heel

[baddog]

Please be careful, saying he stole it when he has been cleared of stealing it is very risky legally.

[Brazzers]

quite right...more like the grinning, slick charm the socks off a Granny type...

PS you look quite fetching in those hot pants

 

Haha, yeah you'd be surprised that some soft and gentle granny type people do exist. 

 

Probably because people are still pissed about bailing them out.

 

I can understand this natural resentment but the motor industry also received bailout money too, plus some banks didn't necessarily need bailout money. Not in the case of Morgan at least... But yes I can understand the hate but not every banker is a douchebag or thief robbing the masses whenever a banker is mentioned among discussions. 

 

and in Australia, for the obscene profits they make in a regime they seem to control...some courageous politician needs to bring them to heel

Fun fact Australian banks are among the most profitable. Although I always ask myself when another company, for example when Apple make insane profits the general perception for Apple at least is 'it's okay' as they are some sort of remarkable and amazing institution. On the other hand when a bank makes anything remotely high the usual lines of 'making too much, greed/manipulation' is associated with it. The fault within our capitalism​ perception. 

Edited by Brazzers, 19 February 2015 - 09:17.

[tmekt]

Do we know what sort of "banker" he is? Everybody is assuming he's some sort of evil mastermind big shot but for all we know he could just be an ordinary desk worker or something with no higher paycheck than you guys.

[kayemod]

Do we know what sort of "banker" he is? Everybody is assuming he's some sort of evil mastermind big shot but for all we know he could just be an ordinary desk worker or something with no higher paycheck than you guys.

 

No, I've made up my mind on this, please don't try to confuse me by offering alternative possibilities.

[Sigur]

This story is one of those stranger than fiction. Banker was too gullible. I bet Lloyds has been going through his portfolio with a fine-tooth comb.

[milestone 11]

Do we know what sort of "banker" he is? Everybody is assuming he's some sort of evil mastermind big shot but for all we know he could just be an ordinary desk worker or something with no higher paycheck than you guys.

MD at Lloyds, Gas and Oils.

[tmekt]

MD at Lloyds, Gas and Oils.

Found an interview with him:

http://www.oilcounci...gas-lloyds-bank

 

 

What are the strategic priorities for your company in the next 12 months and beyond? 

 

(Re)build trust in the UK banking market [...].

 

Guess that would be more successful if you weren't running around taking steering wheels.

Edited by SophieB, 19 February 2015 - 18:31.

[MikeV1987]

 

 

 

I can understand this natural resentment but the motor industry also received bailout money too, plus some banks didn't necessarily need bailout money. Not in the case of Morgan at least... But yes I can understand the hate but not every banker is a douchebag or thief robbing the masses whenever a banker is mentioned among discussions. 

 

 

Privately owned banks are a cancer in our society, they are apart of the group who influence mostly everything behind the scenes just for their own interests. That is not some conspiracy theory either, it is becoming an undeniable fact. That is why people hate them and the reason why their has been a massive movement against them over the years. Obviously not all people who are employed by banks are bad, but the higher ups in key positions get called "Banksters" for a reason.

 

George has a good bit on it

 

 Look whats happening in my country atm.

http://www.orilliapa...-serious-reform

 

"We are in a perpetual-debt crisis because we've allowed foreign private interests to control the creation of money and, by extension, federal economic and social policy for their private interests. Banks are guaranteed billions in profits every year as families slide deeper into debt. Forget income splitting; imagine the tax relief once we escape debt bondage and compound-interest payments."

Edited by MikeV1987, 19 February 2015 - 22:28.

[SophieB]

Please be careful, saying he stole it when he has been cleared of stealing it is very risky legally.

 

 

This is very true. The story is an extraordinary one but yes, you risk legal action for yourselves and potential damage to the board should you libel someone who has been cleared of the crime you might think of accusing them of. I've removed and edited a couple of posts for this reason.

 

The stuff that is just 'Hating Bankers: is it all right to?' is better suited to the Paddock Club too.

[Tsarwash]

Please be careful, saying he stole it when he has been cleared of stealing it is very risky legally.

Surely it's a matter of fact that he did steal it. He took a non found item without permission and against the wish of it's owners. I'm pretty sure that CCTV shows this and additionally he confessed it. 

What got him acquitted is that the judge believed him when he says he was coerced into stealing it by somebody claiming to represent the owner of the item.

[jjcale]

This is very true. The story is an extraordinary one but yes, you risk legal action for yourselves and potential damage to the board should you libel someone who has been cleared of the crime you might think of accusing them of. I've removed and edited a couple of posts for this reason.

 

The stuff that is just 'Hating Bankers: is it all right to?' is better suited to the Paddock Club too.

 

Am surprised the thread is still open .... accident waiting to happen IMO

[kayemod]

We need a definitive legal judgement, where's Ensign when we need him?

[SophieB]

Surely it's a matter of fact that he did steal it. He took a non found item without permission and against the wish of it's owners. I'm pretty sure that CCTV shows this and additionally he confessed it.
What got him acquitted is that the judge believed him when he says he was coerced into stealing it by somebody claiming to represent the owner of the item.

No. It's not a matter of dispute that he TOOK the wheel. Stealing implies intent to deprive by unlawful means, which he was cleared of. The difference is very important.

Last chance, guys. If you want to libel people, take your chances on your own blog.

[Brother Fox]

I'll just say a bloke I met at the track said it was ok to libel him