A getaway driver involved in a terrifying robbery was caught out when police found a text message on his phone complaining about how little cash he and his accomplices had managed to steal.
Barry Bolton’s mobile was found with a draft message on it that he’d not actually sent to anyone which said “we have done the One Stop Shop last night but ended up with f*** all”.
Bolton, 24, of Maesgwyn in Kinmel Bay , claimed he had been outside the shop in Grange Road, Rhyl , in the car and his co-accused Anthony Lloyd had been acting as a lookout while a third man - who has not been prosecuted - went in with a hammer and threatened the two staff.
But Judge David Hale, sitting at Mold Crown Court, said the crime was a joint enterprise whoever was the getaway driver or acting as a look out and whether there was a third person or not, and jailed them both for 44 months.
He said: “People who work in late night convenience stores must know that if there is a robbery then they will be protected by the courts.”
The court heard two members of staff had been about to lock up on November 5 when they saw two men outside with their faces hidden.
The door was not locked and one of the men was able to slide into the shop. He was holding a hammer and a blue plastic bag, and “immediately lifted the hammer and told them to open the tills”, according to prosecutor David Mainstone.
After the staff handed over the £503 cash, the two robbers fled in the direction of Rhuddlan. If there had been a getaway car, it was not captured on the CCTV that caught the incident.
When Bolton was arrested on suspicion of robbery on November 18, he denied being involved.
When detectives found the text message admitting his involvement, he claimed it had been bravado and he had been lying.
But the police also found an internet search for the shop and a photograph of it on the phone.
Simon Mintz, for Lloyd, 29, of Lon Eirin, Towyn, said that he was a father of two who set up a car wash business in his mother’s garden centre.
When that failed he owed money and he also came under pressure because he owed a lot of money for drugs.
He had not been in trouble for five years and on his release intended to lead a constructive life.
Simon Rogers, defending Bolton, said that it was his case that he was the driver and he appreciated he was about to receive the longest prison sentence he had ever served.
He knew that he had led himself and his family down and the inevitable prison sentence would have an effect on his little daughter with whom he had regular contact.
“Through me he wishes to apologise for his actions that night and for the effect on the complainants,” said Mr Rogers.
Detective Sergeant Christopher Bell said: "Armed robbery is an offence which we take very seriously. Bolton and Lloyd’s crimes caused fear in the local community and traumatised their victims.
"I am pleased with the sentence which should serve as a warning that such criminals will be caught, will be put before the courts and will serve time in prison."
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rhyl-one-stop-shop-robber-10832785
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