Bookmaker robber’s sentence not “excessive”

A ROBBER caged for 15 years for his part in a spree of “terrifying” raids at bookmaker’s shops deserved every day of his sentence, top judges have ruled.

Brett Lester Haslan-Gibson (26), of Church Street, Wales, was part of a gang responsible for a week-long spate of armed raids in April 2013.

He admitted four robberies and a string of firearms offences and was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court last October.

He appealed but on Tuesday three senior judges in London said the sentence was justified.

Lord Justice Beatson said the punishment was “severe”, but not too long.

The Court of Appeal heard the men used a getaway vehicle which had been stolen in an aggravated burglary.

They targeted shops in Scrooby Street, Greasborough, Thurcroft, Muglet Lane in Maltby and Sheffield.

Brandishing imitation or genuine firearms, they threatened staff, jumped over counters and stole cash from safes.

When Haslan-Gibson was arrested after police stopped him driving, an imitation revolver was found in his car.

A sawn-off shotgun was later discovered when they searched a property to which he was linked.

His lawyers argued that his sentence was too long, but had their case rejected by Lord Justice Beatson, Mr Justice Globe and Mrs Justice Swift.

Rejecting the appeal, Lord Justice Beatson said: “Not a lot of money was stolen but the staff involved were petrified.

“We don’t consider that a total sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for this spate of terrifying offending over a period of time was manifestly excessive.”