Terrifying CCTV of masked thugs in casino riot

This is the dramatic moment masked thugs armed with baseball bats stormed a West Bromwich casino during last summer's riots, making off with more than £10,000.

The yobs gained entry into Shaftesbury Casino by smashing a window panel of the main entrance before vaulting over the counter to plunder and steal.

CCTV footage of the raid, which has been released for the first time today, shows many of the raiders had their faces and hands covered while some had bags to put items in.

Trish Harrhy was on duty the night of the robbery on August 8 - the first day of riots in the region last year.

The 38-year-old said: "I was taking a phone call on the front desk just after 10pm when I heard two large bangs.

"I looked up and the next thing I knew they were there in my face. I can only remember seeing two.

"It all happened so fast. It was a mixture of fear and adrenalin.

"They jumped over the bar where I was standing and were trying to get into the till."

Mrs Harrhy was ushered away from the area by a security guard before they took refuge at the back of the store.

Meanwhile the group of more than a dozen raiders made their way to the casino's cash desk.

The cashier put her hands up in terror and collapsed to the floor when the thugs retreated. That worker is still off recovering from stress. The raid lasted about two minutes.

About £10,700 was stolen in total.

On Tuesday, former Walsall College student Jordan Pendley, aged 18, of Elmwood Gardens in Handsworth Wood, became the only person to be convicted in relation to the raid on the High Street casino so far. He was handed 18 months detention at Birmingham Crown Court after admitting burglary with intent to steal.

Shaftesbury Casino spokesman Sue Savage, who has previously criticised the sentence for being too lenient, said the raid was the worst night in the club's history.

"One of our staff members is still off work suffering with stress," she said.

"We're just thankful the business wasn't too busy at the time.

"We hope Pendley isn't the only person who will be held to account over this."

But she added: "We're the kind of business that picks ourselves up and just gets on with it. We don't let things like this get to us." Ms Savage said they had stepped up security at the casino since the raid.

West Midlands Police spokesman Lee Page said: "This is still an ongoing investigation and still very active. We have not given up hope of bringing to justice the people responsible.

"In this case, the investigation has been hampered by the fact the people involved were wearing masks. We need anyone who knows anyone who was involved in this to contact us."

Mrs Harrhy said she had been reluctant to return to work in the days after the raid. But her confidence has since gradually been restored thanks to the support from her family and colleagues.

Mr Page added: "The image gallery of people wanted in connection with the disorder - not just in West Bromwich but across the West Midlands - is still on the West Midlands Police website.

"I would urge people to have a look to see if they recognise anyone."