'Have-A-Go-Heroes' Detain Violent Cashbox Robber

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.”