Barnard, of Burnfoot Avenue guilty of robbing bookies
The robberies, all of bookmakers' premises took place in one week in May this year. And Barnard even robbed William Hill in Dawes Road twice on successive days, and also robbed another branch of William Hill in North End Road on the second day.
Simon Barnard, of Burnfoot Avenue pleaded guilty to eight robberies and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court on September 22.
The robberies were on:
May 8, at William Hill in Munster Road
May 10 at William Hill in Dawes Road
May 11 at William Hill in Dawes Road
May 11 at William Hill in North End Road
May 12 at William Hill in Lillie Road
May 13 at Ladbrokes in Gloucester Rd
May 13 at Paddy Power in Kings Road
May 14 at William Hill, North End Road
Police say the suspect was identified at an early stage of the investigation but could not be traced and the robberies continued on a daily basis.
Sergeant Ian Gordon and PC Samuel Barnett from North End Safer Neighbourhoods Team had executed a warrant on an associate of Simon Barnard a month earlier and flagged up the fact that Simon Barnard may well be using this address.
They then the address after making local enquiries and with the assistance of the local Robbery Squad, arrested Simon Barnard at the venue for the eight robberies. Although Simon Barnard was never seen with a firearm he told his victims that he had a gun and would shoot them.
Detective Chief Inspector Pam Mace from Barnes Flying Squad said: " Simon Barnard committed numerous offences over a very short period of time and it was imperative he was arrested as soon as possible.
" I'd like to pay tribute to all the officers that were involved in these investigations. I'd particularly like to thank the Safer Neighbourhoods officers who played such a significant and successful part in the hunt for Barnard. This is an excellent example of the close working relationship that the Flying Squad has with Hammersmith and Fulham."
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