Norfolk: Fake Gun Robber Jailed

A man's been sentenced after using a fake gun to commit robberies in Swaffham and Dereham.

On the evening of Thursday 14 July 2011 Jordan Carr entered the BP petrol station on Norwich Road in Swaffham and demanded money. He threatened staff with a gun and fled with a quantity of cash and cigarettes – some of which he dropped outside along with part of his gun.

Then, on the morning of Friday 15 July Carr, aged 22 and of no fixed address, entered the B & P Newsagents on Stone Road in Dereham with an accomplice, armed with a gun. When they fled with a quantity of cash they were challenged by members of the public and dropped the cash and another part of the gun.

Following the issue of CCTV images, Carr was arrested in Swaffham and items taken in the robberies and BB gun ammunition were recovered. He was charged with these robberies and two counts of possessing an imitation firearm. On Monday (12 December) he admitted the charges at Norwich Crown Court and yesterday (Wednesday 14 December) he was sentenced to five and a half years for robbery and a further year for the firearms offences, to run consecutively.

Detective Inspector Andy Ninham said, "These robberies were extremely frightening for the staff and customers of these premises, and caused unnecessary fear in two very safe communities. I would like to thank the members of the public who challenged Carr and his associate and those witnesses who bravely came forward to police following their ordeal; their evidence along with the items seized helped us put together a strong case against Carr, which ultimately led to him admitting his guilt.

"Fortunately such incidents involving firearms are rare in Norfolk; this sentencing demonstrates that anyone committing such an offence can expect to spend a considerable time in prison."