Armed pair targetted bookies in Newham, court hears

Police believe more than 35 premises were targeted over a 15-month period.

On two occasions shots were fired to warn staff that the weapons were real.

Dean Cramer, 32, and Leon Black, 29, were sentenced at the Old Bailey after admitting 13 and four counts of robbery or attempted robbery respectively.

Cramer further admitted 13 counts of carrying a firearm with intent.

In Cramer’s case they concerned an attempted raid and a robbery on Ladbrokes in Boundary Road, Plaistow, the William Hill branch in Plaistow Road, Stratford, Ladbrokes, Fife Road, Custom House, and Wiltons off-licence at Henniker Gardens, East Ham.

Black was involved in two of them.

Cramer would threatened staff with a firearm as Black acted as a lookout, holding the door to the outlet and providing an easy escape route, the court heard.

Detectives believe Cramer used a small black revolver, a semi automatic handgun and a Webley revolver during the raids.

At one shop Cramer was caught on CCTV. He was later identified by officers.

Detectives on the enquiry were led to Leon Black, a close associate of his.

On September 30, 2010, Cramer and Black with another man attempted a raid on the William Hill bookmakers in Hainault Road, Plaistow.

Flying Squad officers with armed police from the Met’s CO19 unit followed them inside detaining Cramer at the till and Black outside.

Revolver

They recovered an unloaded Webley revolver which was linked forensically to a previous robbery.

Cramer, of Maud Road, Plaistow, was sentenced to a total of 12 years imprisonment. Black, from Walthamstow, received eight years.

Det Chief Insp Ian Corner described the pair as “committed armed robbers” who “thought nothing of threatening law-abiding workers with firearms and discharging them, causing great danger and fear to the public.”

He praised the police team who conducted “a painstaking investigation” which led to this successful prosecution.