Pair jailed for 26 years for carrying out 'terrifying' armed robberies - The Stratford Observer

Pair jailed for 26 years for carrying out 'terrifying' armed robberies

Stratford Editorial 27th Jun, 2018   0

TWO men from have been jailed for carrying out ‘terrifying’ armed robberies in Long Itchington and Warwick.

Michael Hackett, 30, from Beauchamp Road in Kenilworth, and Samuel Gold, 31, from Freshwater Grove in Leamington, have been sentenced to a total of 26 years in prison for two armed robberies on January 15 2017.

The first took place at a service station on Stratford Road in Warwick. Gold went in as a customer, while Hackett remained in the vehicle. Gold then drove to an area behind the station where access could be gained through a missing fence panel.

Hackett entered the store dressed in black with his hood up, his face covered and wearing gloves. He was armed with an imitation gun and forced the cashier to empty the till. The pair escaped with cash and cigarettes




Gold then drove to a store on Church Road in Long Itchington, where Hackett entered with the imitation firearm and proceeded to threaten two members of staff until they emptied the tills. The pair again made off with cash.

When Gold was arrested, the imitation pistol was recovered from under his bed. Officers also recovered a significant quantity of cannabis and cocaine, as well as drug dealer paraphernalia. Property stolen during recent burglaries was also recovered.


At the time of his arrest Gold was on bail for offences of possession to supply cannabis and cocaine which was recovered from his vehicle that was parked near to his home address.

Gold was found guilty of the armed robberies and possession of imitation firearm during a trial in July 2017. He pleaded guilty to drugs charges and handling stolen goods separately.

Hackett entered a guilty plea to the robberies and possession of imitation firearm in April 2018.

On Friday June 22 at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Gold was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment and Hackett to 10 years. They will both have to serve at least two thirds of their sentence before any parole application can be made.

Det Insp Liam Barry said: “These were terrifying incidents for the victims and I hope the sentences handed down to Gold and Hackett reflect the seriousness of the offences.

“I want to thank the team for their hard work on this case which ultimately resulted in bringing the pair to justice. I hope the community feels reassured that these two dangerous individuals will be kept off our streets for a significant amount of time.”

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