Betting shop robber jailed after saying he had 'gun'

Benjamin Hargreaves, of Holmes Chapel Road, Holmes Chapel, was sentenced to 45 months after previously pleading guilty to robbery, criminal damage, and possession of a class B drug.

The 35-year-old was jailed at Chester Crown Court on Friday, August 2.

Benjamin Hargreaves, of Holmes Chapel Road, told betting shop staff he had a gun under his jacket (Image: Cheshire Police)

Police received a 999 call from a betting shop in Market Street, Crewe, at around 1.50pm on Thursday, April 18.

Staff reported that a man had been into the shop and demanded money from the till, stating he 'had a gun under his jacket'.

Shop assistants handed him £300 and he fled with the cash.

After initial enquiries, officers identified Hargreaves as a suspect and discovered he had got into a taxi.

Police traced the taxi to Middlewich Road in Sandbach and arrested Hargreaves inside the vehicle.

Cash and a quantity of cannabis found in the defendant’s possession.

The taxi driver told police that Hargreaves made comments about possessing a gun and that he had just robbed a betting shop.

During the journey, Hargreaves was smoking, causing burn marks to the rear passenger seat and damage to the vehicle.

Hargreaves admitted the robbery.

He told police he then went to a pub where he drank alcohol, before asking a staff member to book him a taxi.

He also said during the taxi journey he made the driver stop at two stores to allow him to buy cigarettes and alcohol.

Hargreaves was subsequently charged with the offences.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Ryan Ogden said: “Hargreaves showed no regard for the innocent members of staff who understandably must have been shaken by what happened.

“Instead, he decided to try and get some easy money, almost immediately spending some of the cash on cigarettes and alcohol.

“Thankfully, our officers quickly established him as a suspect and he was tracked down and arrested a short time later.

“I hope that the outcome of this case demonstrates to local residents how seriously we treat robbery, and also acts as a warning to others who are intent on committing crime.”