A "petrified" worker at a Norwich bookmakers "feared for her life" during an £5,000 armed robbery set up by a co-worker, a court has heard.

The victim was a customer services manager at Betfred bookmakers in London Street when a robber burst through the door with a large kitchen knife and ordered her and colleague, Meriel Hayes, to get on the floor and "give me everything".

Eastern Daily Press:

Norwich Crown Court heard the victim was warned not to press the alarms as "someone was outside with a shooter" leaving her feeling "petrified".

John Coates, prosecuting, said Hayes, 43, had "full knowledge of the conspiracy to rob" and knew "what was going to happen".

Eastern Daily Press:

Hayes, of Beverley Road, Norwich, appeared at court on Friday (January 13) to be sentenced having admitted conspiracy to rob at the store on July 1, 2018.

Co-defendant, Christopher Passley, 51, who was found guilty of conspiracy to rob after a trial in his absence last year, was also sentenced, but was not in court.

 

Before they were sentenced, the court heard a statement from the victim who felt "petrified and scared for my safety" at the time of the robbery.

She said the "knife was so large I feared for my life".

The victim, who no longer works at the same branch because of the impact the offence has had on her, was "upset" to find out Hayes was involved in the robbery.

She said it was a "significant breach of trust" by Hayes who she feels has "let me down".

Hayes, who also admitted possession of heroin, was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years by Recorder Jeremy Hyam who said it was a "very frightening robbery for the victim".

He said Hayes had "participated in and planned this robbery" in which she was a "necessary participant".

Passley was convicted after a trial in his absence in November during which he was described as the "getaway driver" who had "hatched a plan" with Hayes to rob the bookies.

Passley, from Nottingham but who is understood to be in Jamaica, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment by Recorder Hyam who said he was "the clear instigator of the conspiracy".

Andrew Oliver, mitigating for Hayes, said she "had been assured there would be verbal threats but not the presence of any weapons".