Robbers armed with 'Nazi SS blade' sentenced for betting shop raids

TWO men who carried out a spree of armed betting shop robberies – including one at Holbury – have been jailed for a total of 24 years.

James Frampton and Michael Purkiss each received 12 years for nine offences at bookmakers across Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire between 13th and 27th January this year.

The pair first struck at Corals in Bitterne precinct and ended it in Chandler’s Ford. They targeted the Holbury Ladbrokes on 20th January, as reported in the A&T.

Southampton Crown Court heard in each case, Frampton (30), from Byron Road, Eastleigh, entered the outlets with his face covered and armed with a knife, demanded money from the staff and threatened them if they did not comply.

Having been given the cash, he would jump in a car outside, driven by 55-year-old Purkiss, of Arthur Road, Eastleigh. The pair stole more than £5,000 and used a silver VW Polo registered to Purkiss’ mother.

Hampshire police caught up with them by identifying the owner of the car, and evidence from ANPR cameras placed the men in the locations of the robberies at the time.

Cell site analysis of Purkiss’ phone linked him to the robberies, clothing seized from the pair matched that seen in the CCTV from the premises, and a knife recovered from the robbery at Ladbrokes in Thatcham was a unique Nazi SS blade forensically linked to both men.

Officers arrested the pair in a vehicle on 31st January.

At court both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

After the sentencing, DC Ali Humby from Hampshire police said: “This was a fast-paced investigation that spanned three counties over 15 days.

“The level of violence threatened and the weapons used by Frampton to scare staff in these premises must have been terrifying. Even though no-one was physically injured, experiencing this type of crime has had huge impacts on staff working at these stores.

“I hope the sentences today serve as some closure to those staff members who were subjected to these crimes.

“I also hope this sends a message to those thinking that committing this type of crime is easy to get away with – it isn't. We will catch you and, when we do, you will go to prison for very long time."