Three men have been sentenced to 32 years imprisonment for armed robbery and aggravated burglary following successful police operation named Op Holland.
The men were sentenced yesterday, 5th May at Exeter Crown Court following an investigation into armed robberies and an aggravated burglary in South Devon where a CO2 powered BB revolver had been used to threaten and intimidate.
Keith Shaw [left], 42, of Newton Abbot, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, William Ryan [middle], 49, of Torquay, was sentenced to ten, and Stanley Lloyd [right], 47, also of Newton Abbot was sentenced to eight years in prison.
During the investigation into the robberies it became apparent to the investigating officers that there was a link to the aggravated burglary.
The first offence was an aggravated burglary using a firearm in the home of the male victim in Bovey Tracey on Sunday 28 August 2016 where he was hit by the butt of the firearm causing substantial injuries and a large number of items were stolen.
The second offence was an armed robbery at “Best One” known as the Top Shop, Marldon Road, Paignton, on Sunday 18 September 2016. Around £60 was stolen along with a quantity of cigarettes. The offenders wore balaclavas to cover their faces and one assaulted a member of staff causing minor injuries from pushing him to the ground and repeatedly striking him with the firearm.
The third offence was an armed robbery was at Domino’s Pizza, St Marychurch Road, Torquay at 2.30 am on Saturday 24September 2016. The offenders wore balaclavas, one man had the firearm and the other had a hammer to threaten staff during which a staff member was assaulted causing minor injuries. Around £1468 was stolen in this incident.
DI Kay Chapman said: “In all three offences a real looking revolver was used to make threats, intimidate and subject the witnesses to a violent and extremely frightening ordeal. It left them all extremely traumatised and shaken.
“The tenacious investigation by Torbay CID was in-depth and enabled the successful prosecution of Keith Shaw, William Ryan and Stanley Lloyd.
“I would like to thank all the witnesses who supported this investigation in order to bring them to justice.”
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