A Holmes Chapel man has been jailed after robbing a betting shop in Crewe town centre, claiming to have a gun under his jacket.

Benjamin Hargreaves, 35, of Holmes Chapel Road, Holmes Chapel, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 2 August

He was sentenced to 45 months after previously pleading guilty to robbery, criminal damage, and possession of a class B drug.

Benjamin Hargreaves went into the betting shop on Market Street and emanded money from the till, stating he had a gun under his jacket (Nub News).

At around 1:50pm on Thursday 18 April, Cheshire Police received a 999 call from a betting shop on Market Street.

They reported a man had been into the shop and demanded money from the till, stating he had a gun under his jacket.

Members of staff handed £300 to the man, who then left the premises.

After initial enquiries with the staff, officers identified Hargreaves as a suspect and discovered he had got into a taxi.

Information regarding the taxi was passed and officers were able to trace the vehicle to the Sandbach area.

They stopped the taxi on Middlewich Road, where Hargreaves was arrested.

Cash was recovered from him, as well as a quantity of cannabis.

Benjamin Hargreaves, 35, of Holmes Chapel Road, Holmes Chapel, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Friday 2 August (Wiki Commons).

The taxi driver reported during the journey from Crewe, Hargreaves made comments about possessing a gun and that he had just robbed a betting shop.

During the journey, Hargreaves was smoking, causing burn marks to the rear passenger seat and damage to the vehicle.

In interview, Hargreaves admitted to the robbery. He told police he then went to a public house where he drank alcohol, before asking a staff member to book him a taxi.

He also said during the taxi journey he made the driver stop at two stores to allow him to buy cigarettes and alcohol.  

He was subsequently charged with the offences.

Following the sentencing, detective sergeant, Ryan Ogden, said: "Hargreaves showed no regard for the innocent members of staff who understandably must have been shaken by what happened. 

"Instead, he decided to try and get some easy money, almost immediately spending some of the cash on cigarettes and alcohol.

Armed police were seen in Crewe town centre following the robbery (Nub News).

"Thankfully, our officers quickly established him as a suspect and he was tracked down and arrested a short time later.

"I hope that the outcome of this case demonstrates to local residents how seriously we treat robbery, and also acts as a warning to others who are intent on committing crime."

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