Bookmakers and police are celebrating the success of Operation Betguard, which resulted in a prolific East London armed robber being identified and caged for eight years.
Keith Donaldson-Jones, 43, of Forest Gate demanded cash from betting-shop counter staff while brandishing a paper bag they were convinced contained a gun.
He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to three armed robberies in the East Ham area between January 4 and 25.
His conviction follows a successful initiative run by the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad and partners in the betting industry - Operation Betguard.
Photographs of a variety of suspects were circulated in east London and several members of the public immediately recognised Donaldson-Jones.
Masked Donaldson-Jones and an unnamed accomplice entered Ladbrokes in East Ham High Street on January 4.
The defendant approached the front counter with a rucksack and demanded money from the cashier.
In his right hand Donaldson-Jones was brandishing a brown paper bag, which the cashier believed was being used to conceal a firearm.
Fearing for her life, the cashier handed over around £1,500 in cash and the duo fled.
Two more robberies on January 18 and 25 followed a similar pattern, with Donaldson-Jones entering separate East Ham Ladbrokes branches.
He would threaten staff before escaping with cash.
Officers are yet to trace his accomplice, but their enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Constable Nick Pollard of the Flying Squad, based in Barking, said:
”These robberies were terrifying for the staff involved who genuinely feared for their lives.
“Initiatives like Operation Betguard prove that the Met will go to great lengths to track down people like Donaldson-Jones.
“By working together with local businesses and the local community we can bring offenders to justice.”
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