Getaway driver spared jail over raid bid

Ashley Riley took his father's car after being recruited for the raids, a judge was told.

The gang struck first at A&B News in Poole Crescent, Coseley, at 12.10 am on October 17, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The owner of the business and his family were in their flat above the shop and saw three men ramming the shutters with crowbars in an failed attempt to break in, said Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting.

The raiders fled to a waiting car and drove off after realising that they had been spotted, the court was told.

An hour later they tried unsuccessfully to smash their way into Bridgefield Stores in Constantine Way, Bilston, causing an estimated £3,500 damage, it was said.

This time a witness noted the registration number of the car in which they escaped empty-handed and, since the vehicle was not on false plates, it was quickly traced to the father of 26-year-old Riley, added Mr Searle.

Mr Jon Roe, defending, explained: "He was recruited by others who are older and more experienced than him and had leverage over him. He drove them around whilst they looked for suitable premises and told him where to stop. His involvement was to provide transport while the others tried to steal cigarettes from the shops."

Father-of-one Riley from Clarence Road, Bilston, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the two attempted robberies and was given a 16-month jail sentence suspended under supervision for two years with 200 hours unpaid work, a three-month night time curfew and £450 fines and compensation.

Judge Robin Onions said: "These were ham-fisted attempts to force a way into premises late at night that caused considerable upset. You were recruited for one reason, your father's car, and should have had nothing to do with it. However you felt under pressure and nothing was stolen."

Two other men have been charged in relation to the robberies and are due to appear at court at a later date.