A teenage ‘stooge’ used in a pnds stlg 68,605 jew

A teenage ‘stooge’ used in a pnds stlg 68,605 jewellery
raid has been jailed for two years at the Old Bailey.

Mark Lacey, 19, barged his way into the Piccadilly
jewellers with a pistol and handcuffed two members of staff,
taking instructions from his ‘mentors’ over a two way radio.

The raider grabbed a bag full of antique wrist watches
and was about to leave when he noticed the police outside, called
by a sharp-eyed passer-by.

When Lacey gave himself up officers found the gun
was a realistic imitation.

The court heard that the villains behind the raid had
employed several young men to carry out similar robberies which
netted pnds stlg 210,000.

The three crooks, who are now awaiting trial, armed
their sidekicks and even clothed them for the raids.

Sending Lacey to a young offenders institution,
Recorder Caesar Crespi, QC, told him: ‘Young men are going to
be more at risk of being recruited as you were if they think
nothing is going to happen to them.

‘
Mr Stephen Hale was letting himself into Solmo
jewellers at 9am on July 26 last year when Lacey bundled him
through the door.

The passer-by initially thought Lacey was a member of
staff but dashed off to call the police when he saw the gun.

‘Lacey pushed the gun to Mr Hale’s head,’ said
prosecutor Miss Louise Kamil.

‘Mr Hale and another member of staff, Mr Charles
Tearle, were forced into the basement and made to kneel on the
floor and put their hands on their head.

‘With the gun to his head Mr Tearle was made to open
the safe and to put the watches in the bag.

‘
Taking instructions over the radio, Lacey handcuffed
both men and made his way back upstairs.

When he saw the police outside Lacey dashed back
downstairs in a vain bid to find another way out.

Eventually the bandit of Dunelm Grove, West
Norwood, decided to give himself up.

Lacey told police he had found the gun and taken the
radio from a boy in a bid to protect his bosses.

But Mr Keith Mitchell, defending, revealed Lacey was
under the orders of ‘much harder and more experienced criminals.

‘
‘They provided them with eveything and even clothed
them,’ said counsel.

‘Having talked to them about the robbery it became
like a moving conveyer belt for Mr Lacey and it was difficult to
get off.

‘
Mr Mitchell said the crime bosses were near the
scene at the time of the robbery but ‘they made their escape
during this job and left Mr Lacey high and dry.

‘
Jobless Lacey, of previous good character, admitted
robbery and a related firearms offence.

The judge said: ‘I take into account that you were
recruited by people who are more experienced and harder than you.

‘Once you had become involved it would be difficult
for you to get out.

‘In ordinary cicrumstances I would have sent you away
for a much greater number of years.

‘
ENDS