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Man in Swimming Goggles Robs Bank to Pay Court Fine

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on April 12, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

In a move that could have only been inspired by watching The Little Mermaid one too many times, a man has confessed to robbing a bank while dressed in swimming goggles and a bright pink scarf.

He was also toting a tuna can designed to look like a bomb.

After being convicted of assault, Sean Collins of Glasgow, Scotland was ordered to pay $3,200 in restitution, reports STV. Having lost his job due to the conviction, he had no money to pay both the fine and his mortgage.

So he decided that he would rob a bank.

Upon entering the bank, the station reports that Sean Collins put a "tin with wires sticking out of it" in front of the cashier, and then told her to give him the money.

She thought he was joking. Well, that is until he showed her a 12-inch knife.

Surveillance footage was later found of Sean Collins changing clothes in the bathroom of a local supermarket, notes STV.

If you're ordered to pay restitution by a U.S. court but fear that you may lose your home in the process, don't try and rob a bank.

And definitely don't wear clashing goggles and scarves.

Instead, talk to your attorney or the judge. If you're serious about repayment, there are often ways to keep you in compliance with the court order while not placing you in such a dire position.

It's better to be honest with the judge about what's going on instead of finding yourself back in jail.

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