Manager pretended to be the victim of knifepoint robbery she had planned

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Wednesday, 18 April 2018 14:48

A shift manager of a convenience store has been jailed for taking part in a robbery on her own shop while she worked.

Michelle Williams, 34, told police she had been the victim of a robbery on opening The One Stop Shop in Usk on Sunday, 12th February 2017, shortly after 6am. She said a man with a crowbar and knife grabbed her from behind. The robber also threatened a female sales assistant, before making off with more than £2,700 in cash.

Following a Gwent Police investigation, Williams' partner, Benjamin Bailey, 37, of Little Mill, and a 17-year-old youth from Abergavenny were charged with robbery. Williams, of Blaina, was charged with the same offence.

The trio pleaded guilty to robbery at Cardiff Crown Court on 21st March, 2018.

Today - Williams was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months while Bailey received 6 years and the youth was given a 1 year and 6 months detention and training order.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Edwards, who led the investigation for Gwent Police, said "This was a terrifying and distressing experience for the true victim involved. Michelle Williams who was employed at the shop showed a flagrant disregard for the safety, welfare and trust of her work colleague by planning and allowing this robbery to take place. Michelle together with her partner Ben Bailey and another executed the robbery and attempted to mislead the investigation by purporting to be a victim herself. This was a unique and challenging investigation in order to prove the involvement of all three people.

"Detective Constable David Hancocke was methodical in conducting the investigation which was evident by all three defendants pleading guilty at the first available opportunity. We hope that today's sentence will offer some closure and peace of mind to those effected and prove we will relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those who commit crime in Gwent."