Violent Staffordshire robbery gang have sentences increased

The masked raiders targeted businesses all over the Midlands, in particular Staffordshire, often using weapons and violence to get what they wanted.

Members of the gang received sentences ranging from seven to 15-and-a-half years at Stafford Crown Court in May.

But after a reference by solicitor general Robert Buckland QC on the basis that their prison terms were not tough enough, judges ordered increases.

Lord Justice Lloyd Jones, sitting at the Court of Appeal in London, said sentences received by six of the men were 'unduly lenient'.

"These were highly professional operations," said the judge, sitting with Mr Justice Jeremy Baker and Judge Mark Brown.

"They were carefully planned. Disguises were employed, sophisticated technical equipment used and the premises carefully targeted.

"These offenders are accomplished criminals.

"Threats of violence and actual violence were employed. Some of the victims were assaulted, tied up, locked up or detained.

"Substantial sums of money were involved."

Conor Robertson, 25, Aaron Leathem, 25, Irfan Ibrahim Bonner, 28, Mark Hazel, 36, Tyrone Reid, 26, and Wayne Stokes, 31, all had their sentences increased.

The court heard the men were caught after police operations during 2013 and 2014.

Robberies took place in Rugeley, Tamworth, Fradley, with a £700,000 raid on an HSBC in Sutton Coldfield, involving Robertson, Leathem and Hazel, the most lucrative.

Conor Robertson, 25, of Wood End Lane, Lichfield, who was jailed for 12-and-a-half years for conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to steal, had his sentence increased to 16 years.

Aaron Leathem, 25, of Gipsy Lane, Erdington, Birmingham, who got 15-and-a-half years for conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to steal and an additional conspiracy to burgle, was sentenced to 18 years. Irfan Ibrahim Bonner, 28, of Faulkners Farm Drive, Erdington, who was jailed for 10-and-a-half years for conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to steal, had his sentence increased to 13-and-a-half years.

Mark Hazel, 36, of Leaside Avenue, Rugeley, had his eight-year term for conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to burgle increased to 10 years. Tyrone Reid, 26, of Cromwell Street, Dudley, had received seven years for conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to steal, but saw his term increased to nine years and four months

Wayne Stokes, 31, of The Ridgeway, Erdington, saw his 10-year sentence for conspiracy to rob and an additional robbery increased to 13 years and four months.

The term of Ben Crofts, 25, of Brookvale Park Road, Erdington, who got 12 years for conspiracy to rob and steal, remained.