Ringmaster - 54 Years for Shotgun Robbers

 

15 May 2013

Four men have today been jailed for a total of 54 years for the violent armed robbery of two elderly men at their rural farm house in Bedfordshire in October last year.

 

The defendants appeared at Luton Crown Court today (May 15) having previously pleaded guilty to their part on the pre-planned robbery at Hill Farm, Edworth Road, Langford, on Sunday 21st October 2012.

 

The covert operation that led to today’s conviction was led by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and was launched after the victims, brothers aged 69 and 75, were subjected to a violent assault and had their lives threatened if they did not hand over cash believed to be on the premises. The offenders eventually left with shotguns belonging to the victims who were farmers.

 

ERSOU became operational in July 2010 and was formed to increase and improve operational capacity and capability in dealing with cross-border criminals and is resourced by Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk police forces. ERSOU is committed to serving residents across the region and carries out proactive operations to tackle cross-border organised crime.

The defendants were each sentenced to 13 years and six months. They are:

Joseph Upton, aged 39, of Murrow Lane, Parsons Drove, Wisbech, Cambs

John Leonard William Smith, aged 38, of Primrose Farm, Small Lode, Upwell, Cambs

Albert Smith, aged 37 of Potton Travellers Site, Common Road, Potton, Beds

Alfred Stanley, aged 35, of Sandon Close, Sandy, Beds

A spokesperson for ERSOU said:

“This was a carefully planned attack on two defenceless elderly men. The violence and threats they were subjected to was not at all necessary and done purely out of viciousness. The fact that six shotguns were stolen from the victims shows how dangerous these men are. Their intent to supply other criminals with the guns or to use the weapons themselves can never be overlooked. The good news is not only were the offenders captured, every weapon was recovered by the police.”

 

“These are some of the most dangerous criminals in the region; their imprisonment must come as great reassurance to the victims and public at large. This was a detailed and thorough investigation, which gave the offenders little choice but to plead guilty. It’s a message to the organised criminal fraternity in the region, you will be caught.”