Armed robbers jailed for two-week Telford crime spree that hit charity shops, bookmakers and barbers

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard how Jordan Hickman, 29 and Jake Jones, 21, both of Millstream Way in Leegomery, along with an 18-year-old man who cannot be named for legal reasons, carried out a series of robberies across the town in March 2023, over a two-week period.

Hickman was found guilty in March following a two-week trial, and sentenced to 11 years in jail for conspiracy to commit robbery and two years for conspiracy to commit burglary. The sentences will run concurrently.

Jones, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, was given a sentence of four years for conspiracy to commit robbery and one year for conspiracy to commit burglary. The sentences he received will also run concurrently.

The third man, who also previously admitted the offences, was given a sentence of three years and nine months for conspiracy to commit robbery, and one year for conspiracy to commit burglary. Both sentences will run concurrently.

The court heard how the break-ins involved weapons, including a gun, which were used to intimidate and terrify the shop’s staff.

Overall, the trio managed to steal £1,800 during their two-week spree.

In total the men targeted three charity shops, three barbers’ shops, three retail shops, four bookmakers, one takeaway shop and one butcher's shop.

West Mercia Police Detective Inspector Steve Goddard said: “These three men are clearly violent and dangerous individuals who entered a number of retail shops across Telford armed with a series of weapons to scare and intimidate staff.

“They threatened customers and staff causing fear; whilst no-one was injured the consequences could have been far worse and those in the stores at the time have quite understandably been left traumatised by their actions.

“I’m pleased with the significant sentence that has been given today, and am pleased that the three men are behind bars where they cannot cause more harm to our communities.”