gun robbers are jailed for five years

Jordan Hookway, 18, of Crowhurst Lane, Bexhill and Thomas Walsh, 23, of Quebec Close, Bexhill were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

Both defendants pleaded guilty last December to two robberies, one attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. The offences took place in September last year.

After the case Detective Constable Anton Affonso said: “We are pleased with the sentences that Hookway and Walsh received today which reflect the seriousness of their offences.

“They demonstrated not only the willingness to brandish a gun but also use further violence on those that did not immediately submit to their demands.

“This was a very frightening experience for all three victims, who were not to know whether the gun being pointed at them was real or an imitation.

“But pointed in the eye or face as in these cases there is always a real threat of causing serious injury.”

The duo struck on Saturday, September 25 brandishing a fake pistol which nevertheless looked uncannily real.

At around 11.40pm a 31-year-old local man was walking along Windsor Road when he was grabbed from behind and had what he believed to be a gun pressed to his temple.

The robbers demanded his wallet and phone, and when the victim tried to break free he was hit over the head with the gun and knocked to the ground.

As a result of the attack he required hospital treatment for cuts to the back of his head as well as bruising to his body.

Just 10 minutes later, again in Windsor Road, an 18-year-old man was approached by the same two men, one of whom pulled a black handgun out, pushed it into the victim’s face and demanded his wallet. The teenager had no wallet to give them, but was robbed of his mobile phone before being ordered by the suspects to run.

Finally, near midnight the robbers struck again. Their 16-year-old victim was walking along Station Road when the robbers ran out of a side road, one brandishing a handgun and forced him to part with his phone and bag,

After a detailed description and witness appeal were circulated to the media, members of the public swiftly came forward with vital information.

Jordan Hookway was arrested just two days later on September 27 suspicion of robbery, and Thomas Walsh was arrested on September 29, also on suspicion of robbery.

In a statement to the police, the 31-year-old victim said: “These guys have made a lifestyle choice, they do it because they think its cool and they boast to their friends about it as though it’s fun. Their acts were not borne out of necessity but the lifestyle they lead and trying to emulate gangster culture.”

Detective Inspector Ian Williams, of Bexhill CID, said: “I am proud of the swift arrests that were made by the officers and the commitment from both officers and staff to bring the defendants to justice.

“Sussex Police will not tolerate this kind of criminal behaviour.”

DI Williams added: “I would also like to thank the victims and witnesses who showed great courage by coming forward and in doing so were pivotal in securing guilty pleas from the defendants and making our communities that little bit safer.”