[Watch] 'Four robberies in four days' - armed thief jailed

Louis Taylor sentenced to seven years and two months for robbery spree.

Published 22nd Apr 2016

A man who went on a crime spree committing four violent armed robberies in four days has been jailed. Louis Andrew Taylor of Spindletree Avenue, Blackley, pleaded guilty to theft, two counts of robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, and two counts of possession of a bladed article at an earlier hearing. Today, he was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, to seven years and two months in prison.

It all began at 9.30am on Friday 18 September 2015 when Taylor went into Ladbrokes on Oldham Road in Miles Platting. He threatened the female member of staff with a knife and demanded she fill a bag with cash; fleeing with £400 in notes. At 7.30pm on Monday 21 September 2015 he targeted William Hill bookmaker’s on Middleton Road in Prestwich. Taylor demanded money and threatened staff with a knife, before fleeing empty handed. At 8.15pm Taylor went into Ladbrokes on Victoria Lane in Blackley and, again, threatened staff with a knife and demanded money but left the shop with northing. Shortly before 8.30pm the same evening he entered the Co-op store on Old Market Street in Blackley and, pointing a knife at the female member of staff, he forced her to fill a bag with cash and then fled.

In total he stole £520.

On Wednesday 7 October Taylor was arrested on suspicion of committing four armed robberies and was remanded into custody. Detective Constable Natalia Montano of North Manchester division said: “Taylor was ruthless, robbing four shops in four days and subjecting victims to terrifying ordeals and in the process carrying a large knife. “Justice caught up with him and he is now behind bars, where I hope he will reflect on the emotional harm he caused to his victims.”