Duo jailed after snatching more than £17k

TWO men were jailed for a total of 19 years after stealing more than £17,000 from bookmakers and banks across Medway and North Kent.

Gary McMeekin, 35, of Kingswear Gardens, Strood, pleaded guilty to six robberies between November 29, 2009, and April 9, 2010, as well as possession of an imitation firearm.

Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, McMeekin received a total of 15 years.

Robert Blackburn, 31, of Copperhouse Road, Rochester, was also charged with robbery at the Lloyds TSB in Northfleet on April 9.

Blackburn will serve 4 years.

Sentencing, his Honour Judge Jeremy Gold QC told McMeekin: “You embarked on a campaign of robberies in betting shops and banks and threatened the staff of these establishments with an imitation firearm.

“I’m not sure if it is always appreciated – the damage of the terror inflicted on people who are robbed.

“A lot of your victims are still suffering the damage many months after the event.”

CCTV footage from the raids was shown in the court.

One clip, recorded during the robbery of the Lloyds TSB in Northfleet on April 9, showed McMeekin repeatedly dropping cash on the floor before scooping it into a carrier bag.

Prosecuting counsel Jane Scotchmer told the court: “McMeekin was the main man, who thought nothing of terrifying the bookmakers’ staff in pursuit of money.

She described a witness’s account of McMeekin and Blackburn’s escape after the final raid, when bank notes were seen flying out the back of a red Skoda.

Blackburn was discovered in the car later that day and arrested, at which point he named McMeekin.

Speaking outside the court, Detective Inspector Ann Lissenden said it had been a difficult investigation and one that had required patience.

She said: “The confidence that McMeekin showed to carry out these robberies was astounding, but ultimately he has paid the price and will now be in jail for a very long time.”

“We have worked very hard with the bookmakers and they have been fantastic.

“These were frightening experiences for the staff and customers in all of the shops that were targeted.”

McMeekin received 12 years for each for the robberies (to be served concurrently) and three years for each of the firearm offences (also to be served concurrently).

Two more robberies were taken into consideration.

Gary McMeekin pleaded guilty to the following robberies:

Coral bookmakers, Friary Precinct, Strood – Sunday, November 29, 2009 (£1,000)

Coral bookmakers, Gun Lane, Strood – Monday, November 30, 2009 (£500)

Choice Bet bookmakers, High Street, Snodland – Wednesday December 2, 2009 (£3,400)

Coral bookmakers, Friary Precinct, Strood – Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (£455)

Nationwide Building Society, Strood – Thursday, March 25, 2010 (£3,980)

Lloyds TSB bank, Perry Street, Northfleet – Friday, April 9, 2010 (£7,500)

Two further robberies that were taken into consideration:

Ladbrokes bookmakers, Holborough Road, Snodland – Friday, January 15, 2010 (£420)

William Hill bookmakers, High Street, Strood – Monday, January 18, 2010 (£77)