Woman Jailed for Part in North End Road Betting Shop Robbery
Accomplice threatened staff with a knife while she acted as lookout
Sapphire Anderson
A 39-year-old woman has been jailed after she acted as a lookout while an accomplice armed with a knife robbed a betting shop on North End Road.
Sapphire Anderson of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to robbery at Isleworth Crown Court and was sentenced on Friday, 1 November to three years and five months imprisonment.
The court heard that on Friday, 31 May, Anderson and an unknown associate, who was wearing a balaclava, went to a betting venue in North End Road, SW6 at around 4.30am.
As Anderson kept lookout by the door, the other suspect entered the venue and threatened a staff member, holding a knife to her back and marching her to the cash office.
The terrified staff member handed over £2,000 and the pair quickly fled after Anderson held the door open to allow their quick escape.
Officers from Central West Priority Crime Team began an investigation and identified Anderson.
She was arrested on Tuesday, 8 October, charged, and remanded in custody.
PC Steven Priestley, lead investigator, said: "The staff member in this incident was left distraught by what happened to her. The actions of Anderson and her associate were incredibly callous.
"This conviction is proof that police are committed to tackling robbery and will work to put offenders behind bars. Anderson now has time to consider the consequences of her actions. “
Work to identify Anderson's associate continues.
November 5, 2019