FOOTAGE of a pair of bungling thieves trying repeatedly to steal an ATM has been released by police.

In the early hours of April 3, David Begalov, 32, and Goga Kakitadze, 35, went to the BP garage inAbingdon's Vineyard and attempted to steal the cash machine.

They tried five times to drag the ATM from the wall using a car and ropes but each time failed.

More details - Read our coverage of the pair's sentencing at Oxford Crown Court

The cash machine was damaged during the theft attempt, but no cash was taken.

During the incident, Kakitadze and Begalov stole tools from M&J Tool hire and returned for another attempt, but were spotted by police officers and arrested when the car they were in was stopped in Culham.

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They were both charged on 4 April.

Kakitadze pleaded guilty to the offences at Oxford Crown Court, while Begalov was found guilty by a majority verdict on September 10.

Sentencing, Judge Nigel Daly said the incident was like something out of Keystone Cops - a slapstick series of silent films from the early 20th century.

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He said: "The planning involved in this was not terribly well executed nonetheless there was planning.

"Whether one could properly describe it as sophisticated is another matter but certainly some degree of planning was involved."

Kakitadze was jailed for 18 months and Begalov two years, and each must pay a victim surcharge.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Chris Gibson of Abingdon CID, said: “These men made multiple attempts to steal a cash machine and their failed attempts were captured on CCTV.

“I am pleased with these convictions which take two criminals off the streets of Oxfordshire and will hopefully provide them with an opportunity to consider other paths in life other than theft.”