More Jailed For Robbery

Thirteen more defendants have been jailed after a Metropolitan Police Flying Squad investigation into a large UK-based robbery network.

Seventeen people had already been sentenced last Thursday.

In all, 29 men and one woman were involved. They conspired to commit a string of highly organised robberies and burglaries across London, the home counties and one offence in Antwerp, Belgium, and were convicted at Kingston-Upon-Thames Crown Court throughout 2009 and 2010.

21 additional gang members were jailed in separate court hearings spread across the country between 2008 and 2010.

A gang, of up to three or four members, dressed in white overalls complete with balaclavas, would arm themselves with sledge hammers, axes, and CS spray, smashing their way into jewellery shops and stealing high-value goods. The total value of all the goods stolen was in excess of £3.5million.

On one occasion a gang travelled to Antwerp to commit a robbery during which they fired CS spray at passers by and the owner of the shop.

Members of the gang also targeted motorcycle dealerships. They would tie up staff which allowed the gang time to load numerous motorcycles into stolen vans. They then committed robberies using these stolen motorcycles as getaway vehicles.

The MPS Flying Squad was first alerted to the raids in January 2009. Working closely with, and supported by, industry and each of the police forces concerned they took over the investigation.

Officers quickly identified the ringleaders who would target the jewellery shops, conduct research and reconnaissance missions before purchasing equipment including overalls, sledge hammers and other weapons. They would then recruit south-east London-based associates to commit the raids.

A covert operation was mounted on 31 March 2009 resulting in the arrest of James Stewart, Malcolm Hambleton, Charles Sadler, Aaron Phillips and Andrew Peterson whilst committing a raid on Mappin & Webb jewellers in Guildford.

A further covert operation on 18 May 2009 resulted in the arrest of Anthony Bado, John Chambers, Marc Hardy and Lee Rawlings as they prepared to raid David Dudley jewellers in Marlborough.

A total of 30 people were subsequently arrested and charged. The majority of them pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

The ringleaders of the plots - James Stewart, Anthony Bado, John Chambers and brothers Billy Johnson and Danny Johnson - were convicted of carrying out 18 conspiracies to commit robbery as well as 16 counts of conspiracy to burgle from 2008 to 2010.

Detective Inspector Jason Prins, of the MPS Flying Squad based at Barnes, said: "These sentences are the result of a lengthy operation by the Met's Flying Squad. We targeted these violent individuals who have shown they were prepared to use significant force to steal large quantities of jewellery.

"The incidents were terrifying for the staff members and their customers who were caught up in them; it is our duty to protect people from this level of violence.

"These defendants operated as an organised criminal network, meticulously planning and carrying out the most brazen daylight raids.

"The sentences also demonstrate our commitment to deal with violent and organised crime in our communities and sends out a strong message that this type of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated."

(BMcN/GK)