Black Country gambler in armed robberies string fails in appeal bid
A gambler who committed a string of armed robberies across the Black Country to pay his debts has failed in challenging his 'inevitable' long prison sentence.
William Thomas Finch, of Bilston Lane, Willenhall, committed five terrifying robberies and one attempted robbery in a few weeks last year.
Donning disguises, the 57-year-old walked into shops, bingo halls and a building society and threatened staff with an imitation shotgun.
He was eventually caught out and, in May, jailed for 14 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
He had been convicted of five robberies, one attempted robbery and six counts of possessing the imitation shotgun.
He appealed against the length of the sentence but has been told by Lord Justice Laws that he deserved every day of the term for such prolific crime.
He said: "This applicant committed a series of armed robberies, using what appeared to be a sawn-off shotgun, secreted inside a black bin liner.
"He subjected his victims, one of whom was pregnant at the time, to a traumatic and terrifying ordeal.
"It would seem that he was motivated by a need to sort out his financial situation, which had become critical because of his escalating gambling habit," he said.
The court heard Finch's raids were strikingly similar, involving threats to shoot staff members.
He wore a black hooded top and masked his face with clothing.
The crimes included a robbery at a West Bromwich Building Society branch in Wednesbury, where he stole about £900, on August 9.
He also carried out a raid on the One Stop convenience store, in Middleway Green, Wolverhampton, taking about £200 on August 31.
Finch took about £530 from staff at a Coral bookies' shop, in Bradley, Wolverhampton, on September 17 and he took part in a robbery which netted about £800 at a Mecca Bingo hall in Bilston on September 23.
Other crimes included an attempted robbery at a post office, in Rough Hay, Darlaston, on September 25 and a robbery at a Gala Bingo hall in Darlaston, stealing about £2,150, on September 28.
He already had a long list of convictions to his name, including many offences of theft, the court heard.
Rejecting his challenge to the length of his sentence, Lord Justice Laws, sitting with Mr Justice Openshaw and Mr Justice Lewis, said a long term was 'inevitable'.
