Robbers jailed after cash delivery hold-up (From Croydon Guardian)

Robbers jailed after Caterham cash delivery hold-up

9:57am Thursday 15th November 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

Three men have been jailed for 19 years after a cash delivery driver was held up and robbed in Caterham.

The group threatened and robbed security guard Ian Strachan, just before 12pm on April 20.

The incident happened outside the Blockbuster store on Croydon Road, before the men jumped into a getaway car and sped away from the scene.

Within hours officers had arrested four men after the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police and Sussex Police launched a search.

A tracking device in the stolen cash box led police to an address in Headley Drive, New Addington.

Guildford Crown Court heard a box containing £370 in notes stained with purple dye, industrial cutting equipment, a balaclava and a polo shirt were found in the address.

Nicholas Leacock, 35, of Southwark, Marvin Samuels, 28, of Woodside Green, South Norwood and Paul Tucker, 36, of Headley Drive New Addington, were all charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

Leacock and Samuels were jailed for nine years each after pleading guilty to the charge.

Tucker who had entered a not guilty plea to money laundering, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to one year in prison.

A fourth man arrested in connection with the incident was later released without charge.

Detective Sergeant Penny Goodale, who led the investigation, said: "I welcome the length sentences for this group of dangerous professional criminals.

"This was a planned and organised robbery where the offenders were quite prepared to threaten the cash delivery driver and put other members of the public in Caterham at risk to get what they wanted.

"The fact the robbers were prepared to commit this offence in broad daylight in a busy area gives an indication of how desperate they were and the lack of concern they had about the impact their actions would have on others."