Robber who used imitation firearm jailed

A man who used an imitation firearm to carry out robberies in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes in a 26-hour crime spree has been jailed for nine years.

Westley Brimble, 44, was sentenced after he threatened staff during the three robberies and one attempted robbery he carried out over just two days in April of this year.

He attacked a bookmaker's shop in Hill Rise Road in Luton on the afternoon of Friday 5 April. He handed a note to staff saying:  “Listen. Do not make a noise. Fill this bag with money. I have a gun”, before escaping with £230 in cash.

Later that night he broke into a hotel in Shakespeare Road Bedford causing considerable damage.

At 2.10am he went to a fast-food restaurant in Goldington Road, Bedford, where he pulled an imitation gun from his jacket and demanded money. But he fled empty-handed when the manager locked himself in his office.

On Saturday 6 April Brimble continued his spree as he entered a food store in Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes. Later that afternoon he carried out another raid at another food shop in Westfield Road, Dunstable, threatening a shop assistant and taking money and cigarettes.

Brimble was arrested shortly after the spree when his vehicle was identified.

Officers discovered the imitation firearm in the centre console.

At Luton Crown Court, Brimble, of Wauluds Bank Drive Luton admitted three counts of robbery, one attempted robbery and one charge of criminal damage. He was also convicted of four charges of possession of an imitation firearm.

He was sentenced to total of nine years in prison.

Detective Sergeant Jordan Lancaster of Bedfordshire Police said: “This sentence shows the judge felt Brimble was a dangerous man who should be kept off the streets.

“He made shop workers who were just doing their jobs fear for their lives.

“I am proud of the team that put these cases together and secured this conviction. We know that street crime is a continuing concern for local residents and we will continue to work tirelessly to put people like Brimble behind bars.”