Abbey Wood and Erith armed robbers jailed for £50,000 Strood service station raid (From News Shopper)

Abbey Wood and Erith armed robbers jailed for £50,000 Strood service station raid

3:36pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

THREE armed robbers from south-east London have today been sentenced to a total of almost 30 years behind bars for a £50,000 daylight raid.

The trio from Abbey Wood and Erith targeted an ATM at Temple Farm service station in Strood shortly before noon on September 19 last year.

Armed police and Kent and Essex helicopter were called after a witness who saw a weapon being brandished dialled 999.

Today, George Brockett, 25, formerly of Mangold Way, Erith, 18-year-old Alfie Barker, of Mangold Way, and Michael Robert McCluskey, 25, of Brinkburn Close, Abbey Wood, were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court.

Judge Philip Statman sentenced Brockett to 12 years in jail, McCluskey to 10 years and eight months, and Barker seven years.

Brockett was arrested by officers on September 21 while Barker and McCluskey were both arrested and charged four days later.

McCluskey and Barker pleaded guilty on December 21 to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to rob and conspiracy to rob.

Meanwhile, Brockett admitted conspiracy to rob on the same date but was found guilty of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to rob on February 21.

CCTV footage shows the gang walking to the station in Cuxton Road and running away after the raid.

Detective Constable Wayne Totterdell, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: “I’m pleased with today’s sentencing as it brings to close a very serious crime.

“This was a terrifying ordeal for the victims involved but I’d like to take the opportunity to praise the efforts of those who gave evidence and the officers who worked tirelessly to bring these three robbers to justice.

“Brockett had tried to play down his role in the robbery by denying possession of an imitation firearm, despite evidence showing otherwise.

“All three of them will spend a significant time in jail where they can contemplate the consequences of their actions.”