08/05/2013

Armed Robbery Gang Sentenced To 28 Years

An armed gang of men that went on a crime spree across the Black Country last year have been sentenced to a total of almost 28 years in jail.

Targeting only convenience stores, the gang stole thousands of pounds of cigarettes and cash from various shops until they were caught last September.

The men singled out Tesco, Spar and Co-op stores as well as some petrol stations.

Police say they covered their faces and threatened staff and customers before filling collapsible bins, dustbins and pedal bins with their loot.

They were armed with with axes and iron bars and used different vehicles for many of the robberies in a bid to evade capture.

Jake Williams (22) from Meldon Drive, Bilston, Anthony Everitt (35) from Wallace Road, Bradley, Stuart Plant (24) from Daley Road, Bradley and Andrew Scanlon (23) from Oak Road, Tipton all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit the robberies on 4 April.

Williams was sentenced to eight years and eight months, Everitt received a seven year and three month sentence, while Plant got six years and Scanlon four years.

Gurpreet Binning (32) from Pond Lane in Parkfields, Wolverhampton also pleaded guilty to handling the goods from the robberies – he was sentenced to two years.

Detective Sergeant Michael Greenland, who led the investigation, said: "This gang was organised and quite professional with the efforts they took to try and get away with their crimes. During the investigation we were able to piece together hours of CCTV and forensic evidence to ultimately be able to identify those involved.

"This was a lengthy investigation to bring the case to court with the defendants pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity instead of facing a long trial."

Detective Chief Superintendent Carl Foulkes, head of the force’s CID, said: "These robberies would have been frightening for staff working in the stores and customers doing their shopping.

"The offenders were armed with axes and iron bars and threatened those around them. On different occasions, they filled bins and a duvet cover with what they stole.

"During their last robbery at a shop in Overfield Road in Russells Hall, Dudley, some of the members of the gang were caught and arrested after screams of one of the victim’s alerted a nearby neighbour who contacted police."

(IT/CD)

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