Robbers laughed as victims' ordeals described to Leeds Crown Court

Members of the gang smirked and laughed as the offences were described to the court.
ll
l

They appeared on screen via a videolink from Armley jail.

Judge Guy Kearl, Qc, said: “I have seen no signs of remorse from any of you, except Quinn.

“You seemed to find the sentencing process and when the offences were being described rather amusing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Not one of you has been man enough to tell me who carried out the assault on the female.

“That is a further indication of you acting as a close-knit group.”

Five defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Daniel Battensby, 37, of Hillidge Road, Hunslet, of was jailed for 15 years, three months.

The court heard he has 12 previous convictions for 28 offences, including burglary, handling stolen goods, supplying cocaine and possession of firearms with intent to cause fear of violence.

He was on bail when he took part in two of the robberies.

Matthew Harding, mitigating, said Battensby pleaded guilty to the conspiracy at an early stage and was sorry for the distressed caused to victims.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Christopher Thackeray, 31, of no fixed address, was jailed for 15 years, nine months.

He has previous convictions for burglary, handling stolen goods and supplying cocaine.

His barrister, John Batchelor, said Thackeray was the “black sheep” of his family. He added that he not realise any violence would used during the offences.

Darrin Docherty, 23, of Longroyd Place, was jailed for 12 years

He has convictions for burglary and handling stolen goods.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Barrister Mark McKone said his client agreed to take part in the offences to pay off a drugs debt.

He said: “He feared for himself, his girlfriend and his children.”

Martin Sharp, 29, of no fixed address was jailed for 11 years, two months

He has a conviction for possessing an offensive weapon in public and theft from an employer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Timothy Jacobs, for Sharp, said his client had been arrested and jailed soon after the first bingo hall raid.

He added that his client then contacted police while in custody and admitted his involvement in other offences.

Anthony Quinn, 26, of Clayton Mews, Altofts, was jailed for 12 years, eight months.

He has 19 previous convictions.

He was given a five-year sentence in 2013 for robbing a security guard at a B&M Bargains store in Middleton.

Robin Frieze, for Quinn, said his client pleaded guilty to offences at a very early stage even when evidence against had not yet been disclosed.