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Grandad jailed for holding up bookies
A grandfather from Eastwood has been jailed for nine years after using a toy handgun to terrify women staff as they were getting ready to close a Heanor bookies for the night.
A court heard that it was the third raid carried out in three months by former Brinsley publican Alan Kennedy who covered his face with a hat which had eyeholes cut out.
Judge Jonathan Teare saw a security photo of him pointing the plastic ball-bearing gun at staff in one of the raids and described it as "quite chilling."
Kennedy, 58, of Manor Road, Eastwood got 2,485 from Broxtowe Borough Council offices on June 13 and on July 14 got away with 700 from a bookmakers in Ingoldmells.
On August 29, he carried out a similar raid on the Ladbrokes' offices on Heanor Market Place and escaped with 2,500.
Dawn Pritchard, prosecuting at Nottingham Crown Court, said one of the women staff saw him holding the gun.
Miss Pritchard said: "She thought it was a joke until he said forcibly 'you, money, now,' started waving the gun and pointing it at her."
Kennedy admitted two robberies and had the third taken into account by the judge. He also admitted having an imitation firearm.
The judge told him: "The firearm could not have caused lethal damage but the psychological injuries to the six women involved have been real and lasting."
One of the Heanor bookies' staff said recalling the incident brings her out "in a cold sweat," she is seeking another job and "feels a different person."
When police visited Kennedy's home, they found the gun in a footstool. Kennedy said he had bought it as a toy for his grandson.
Michael Evans, defending, said Kennedy worked on oil rigs and was later badly hurt in an industrial accident. He is diabetic and has only one lung.
He told the judge: "He is still on medication for the effects of post traumatic stress disorder with anti-depressants and sleeping tablets.
"His drinking got out of control - as did his gambling - once his relationship ended and he was on his own."
Kennedy's daughter described him an "unbelievably devoted father" who phoned her two or three times a day, added Mr Evans. Kennedy had kept out of trouble for 18 years.
A four-year jail term was imposed on a man who knocked on the door of the bookmakers' shop so staff opened it for masked Kennedy to enter with the gun.
Jobless Steven Guest, 25, of Church Street, Eastwood, admitted robbery and having an imitation firearm.
He was offered 250 for his part in the raid but did not take it.
Matthew Smith, for Guest, said he was a "fairly vulnerable individual" who was a friend of Kennedy who asked for help with the raid.
"He took the line of least resistance and was concerned about what would happen if he pulled out," added Mr Smith. Guest had never been in trouble before.
Detective sergeant Stuart Kershaw, who was involved in the police enquiry, said: "Gun crime in Derbyshire is a rarity. In a small market town like Heanor it is almost unheard of and we are pleased to have brought it to a successful conclusion."
Detective constable Paul Hackett added: "We are aware of the traumatic nature of the offences on the victims. Hopefully, they will have some comfort from this."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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