Security van theft gang jailed after being rammed off road by armed police (From Surrey Comet)

Security van theft gang jailed after being rammed off road by armed police

4:40pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Ross Logan, Chief Reporter

Three men have been jailed for a foiled plot to snatch thousands of pounds of cash from a security van in New Malden.

Girry Richardson, 20, Nicholas George Carter, 20 and Charlie Chritchley, 19, were sentenced to prison at the Old Bailey today for conspiracy to steal.

The trio had stalked security vans in a stolen car, waiting for the right moment to snatch the cash boxes.

But they were rumbled on August 21 last year when armed officers from the Metropolitan Police flying squad rammed into their stolen Nissan Juke in Burlington Road - in front of stunned passengers on board a passing 131 bus.

The gang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal but were cleared of conspiracy to rob at a trial last month, after the jury accepted the defendants did not plan to use force.

Richardson, of the Hollands, Worcester Park, was jailed for 32 months,

Critchley, of St George’s Gardens, Surbiton, was jailed for 28 months and Carter, from Chingford for 28 months.

Judge Rebecca Poulet said to Richardson: "The fact is you know and I know that you had a choice when you committed this offence.

"You were on licence for robbery, and not only that but just a month before you had been dealt with a community order for shoplifting, and were regularly seeing your probation officer.
 

"I have read reports that state you have a high risk of reoffending and having reviewed your previous convictions I take the view that that is a realistic assessment."

Carter was told: "You have a great many previous convictions but not as serious of the nature of Mr Richardson has.

"I have read letters on your behalf and I accept that you have done well in the period you have spent in custody on remand."

Judge Poulet told Critchley: "You are 19, you have a baby on the way and you too have behaved well in prison.
 

"But I'm afraid I cannot accept as has been urged on your behalf that this was not a well organised or sophisticated offence. In my view it was."

She told Critchley and Carter they had a lower sentence because: "I am of the view that you have considerably less serious records.

"You were not on licence at the time and I watched you both give evidence in your trial.
 

"I am of the opinion that what is being urged on me is realistic and I'm hopeful that you will not re offend when you are released from this sentence."