I remember this story on the adver site on the day he was stopped with the stolen truck.
swindonadvertiser.co.uk/new … ot-police/
Probably not going to get a reference from them now.
Not to take anything away from the victims in what must have been a scary situation but reading that he does come across as the Worlds most stupid robber.
Wow. Its like reading an action thriller.
Bet he was on the balcony too! 
Extremely lucky that the police acted in such a restrained manner, I’d say.
Franglais:
Extremely lucky that the police acted in such a restrained manner, I’d say.
Very true. The other side of the Atlantic they’d have shot him dead and asked questions later
To be honest, reading that article… The guy seems unhinged.
Maybe he has mental health problems relating to his time in the Army.
No one is to blame!
Yeah, he’s very lucky not to have been shot dead by armed police, plenty of others have been even when they weren’t brandishing a weapon.
I’ve known a few ex-paras who have been left with issues you could readily describe as PTSD, I worked with one during the past few years and he was constantly wound tight as a drum. Whatever it is they do to them during training, the military should do something to help them re-adjust when their time is up.
Zac_A:
Whatever it is they do to them during training, the military should do something to help them re-adjust when their time is up.
Spot on. We often say we’re trained from civilian to military, but never military to civilian. It’s something desperately needed in the resettlement package. Your last year is supposed to be resettlement, attending interviews and training etc which does kind of help blokes adjust to a different way of working. However for some blokes they will be “needed” right up until a couple of months before they leave meaning they are wholly unprepared for civi street.
Although some paras are generally wound pretty tight anyway, it’s in their nature.
Resettlement? I got “cheers mate, thanks for that. See ya around”.
the maoster:
Resettlement? I got “cheers mate, thanks for that. See ya around”.
the maoster:
Resettlement? I got “cheers mate, thanks for that. See ya around”.
Yeh it does depend when you left, also how long you served. These days I think if you’ve get out at 4 years you get the phone number for the job center. Between 4 &6 you get a “half resettlement package” so a grand or so and a few days doing whatever it is they do on resettlement. Over 6 you get the full package so 4 grand for courses (I think) and lots of briefs and extra leave.
They have tried, but from what I’ve been told, the civi company that runs it is naturally taking a ■■■■ load of money and not really doing much for the blokes.