A
violent robber, who snatched an armoured car's cash box and was
chased and caught by 'have-a-go' passers-by, has been caged for eight
years.
Michael
Richards, 51, who hid his identity by wearing a crash helmet, bit two
members of public, who joined the injured security guard in detaining
him.
At
the time he was on licence from prison, having been released from a
life sentence for similar a similar offence in June, last year.
Richards
pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to one count of robbery in
Tottenham High Road, Tottenham, north London on September 27.
When
eventually released the court ordered he remain on an extended
licence for an additional three years.
Richards
struck outside a shop at 11.30am when the custodian was making a
delivery of cash to a store.
He
was approached from behind by Richards who pushed him forcefully to
the ground.
Richards,
who was wearing dark clothing and a motorcycle crash helmet, picked
up the cash box and fled.
The
custodian, who suffered a range of injuries during the incident, ran
after Richards, as well as three members of the public who witnessed
the robbery.
Richards
ran towards a black vehicle displaying false number plates, but as he
did he was caught by the members of the public who attempted to
remove him from the vehicle.
During
the struggle Richards viciously bit two of the members of public.
The
three bystanders managed to detain Richards on the floor, with the
help of a fourth member of public, until police arrived.
The
cashbox was recovered from the vehicle.
Detective
Constable Kevin Parley from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad
said: “I
would firstly like to praise the courageous members of the public who
intervened and detained Richards while he was attempting to escape.
“They
prevented a dangerous criminal from fleeing, and enabled us to detain
him in possession of items clearly associated with the robbery.
“This
was pivotal in enabling us to bring this case before the courts so
quickly and helped us achieve this sentence for Richards today.
“In
the commission of this offence, Richards showed a complete disregard
for the law and justice system having only recently been released
from a custodial sentence for committing another cash in transit
robbery.
“He
is a dangerous individual who will now serve a lengthy prison
sentence and will no longer be able to blight our communities with
his offending.”
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