GRIFFITHS: FORMER COP POSED AS FIREFIGHTER TO ROB SHOP STAFF AT GUNPOINT

An ex-policeman who posed as a firefighter to hold up shopkeepers at gunpoint was caught out when he was recognised by a former colleague, a court heard.

Gary Griffiths, 42, donned the distinctive London Fire Brigade uniform before threatening staff with a pistol and demanding cash, it was said.

He was caught after another officer spotted his ‘distinctive features’ on CCTV from one of the raids, the Old Bailey was told.

The evidence emerged during the trial of Darren Lloyd, 35, who is said to have accompanied Griffiths on several of the raids in December last year.

In a statement, Det Con Andy Burrows said he had recognised Griffiths after watching footage of a robbery at Premier Foods in Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, Essex, on December 5.

He first met Griffiths when he joined the Met in 1994, the court was told.

‘When I began I was based at Bethnal Green police station,’ said Det Con Burrows. ‘I met Gary Griffiths there.

‘We both played rugby for the station side and I played against him in Sunday matches.

‘He is known to me as an associate and from looking at the CCTV the person wearing the uniform is Gary Griffiths.

‘There are several points in the footage when his face is directed towards the camera and it is from these shots of his face that I can recognise him.

‘His face has distinctive features, especially his nose, which is broken in a few places.’

He added: ‘I am sure it is him.’

Earlier, shop assistant Sivavakeethar Sivakumaran(BOTH CORR) told the court about the terrifying raid on the Premier store.

‘He asked if there was a fire alarm going on and said they had some alarm on their system,’ he said.

‘I said everything was fine, but he said he still had to check the sensors. He was in uniform and I didn’t even think about it. I just thought it was a fireman.

‘Then he came to the office and pulled a gun on me and asked for the safe.’

Around £2,000 in cash, which had been hidden behind a printer, was taken, the court was told.

‘I was shocked,’ said Mr Sivakumaran.

‘He said, “Don’t move. I don’t mind shooting anyone, so stay in here until I leave the premises.”‘

Lloyd is alleged to have been the second robber on that occasion, wearing a distinctive patterned bandana across his face, who waited at the front door of the shop to make sure they were not disturbed.

A similar raid is said to have taken place the following evening at Reels Arcade in Green Lane, Dagenham.

Lloyd, of (49) Chittys Lane, Dagenham, Essex, was arrested after his bandana was found inside a high-powered Volvo which he crashed during a high-speed chase with armed police on December 13 last year.

He denies conspiracy to rob between July 1 and December 14 last year and four counts of having an imitation firearm with intent

Griffiths, along with Joshua McEvilley, Ben Garforth, Jason Stacey and Peter Henderson have all admitted their involvement in the conspiracy, the court has heard.

The trial continues.

ENDS