Great Yarmouth: Robber Given 15 Years In Prison

6 March 2014, 16:31 | Updated: 6 March 2014, 16:34

An armed robber who was caught by police after being recognised in a CCTV image in Great Yarmouth has been jailed for 15 years.

39 year old Kevin Stephen Ross, previously of Admiralty Road in Great Yarmouth, appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday (5th March) where he pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm.

The offence related to a robbery which took place during the afternoon of 13th December 2012 at the Cash Inn in Temple Boulevard in Great Yarmouth.

Ross had previously been convicted of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon following a week-long trial last June in connection with the same incident.

During the robbery Ross entered the store claiming to be a police officer in an attempt to trick the shop worker.

Once behind the security counter Ross threatened the worker with a hammer and, what at the time, was believed to be a handgun before demanding cash, stealing a significant amount of jewellery and fleeing the store.

As part of their investigation officers from Great Yarmouth CID agreed the release of a CCTV image to the media in a bid to catch the offender, and two days later police were led to a hotel in Essex where Ross was arrested. Several thousand pounds, tens of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and heroin and cannabis were discovered in his room.

Detective Constable Richard Wallis, who led the investigation, said: "The media played a key part in the apprehension of the offender.

"As a result of the CCTV still being released information was received identifying Ross resulting in a focused investigation and subsequent arrest of him in Essex.

"This was a horrific experience for the victim who was hit on the side of the head during the robbery and made to kneel on the floor during the entire incident in fear of what the offender might do to him."

Ross had also previously admitted to three counts of possession of Class A and B controlled drugs.

Det Con Wallis, added: "The victim has been left extremely traumatised following the incident. Ross is clearly an extremely dangerous man who will not hesitate to commit serious and violent offences against members of the public to fund his drug habit and has no regard for those he hurts in the process."