Battle gunman jailed for ‘staged’ robbery

Crooked bank manageress Christabelle Amoah, 28, pretended she was putting out rubbish so Wayne Sefaah, 27, from Battle, and Lee Palmer, 33, could attack the Halifax bank from the rear.

Dressed as workmen, the gun-toting raiders ordered staff and customers to lie on the ground while another opened the door to the counter and safe area at the branch in Mitcham, south London.

Sefaah and Palmer grabbed £100,000 from the safe and stuffed the loot in a sports holdall before making their getaway in a van driven by Jeffrey Amoah, 23.

Daisy Owusu-Henewah, 30, and Kevin Sefaah, 25, helped set up the ‘inside job’ at the bank in Majestic Way on July 16, 2010.

The six were eventually snared by Flying Squad detectives and jailed for a total of 73 years at Kingston Crown Court.

Wayne Sefaah, of Whatlington Road, was jailed for 15 years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm. He also received 12 months for a separate theft offence.

Christabelle Amoah, of Doddington Grove, Kennington, was convicted of conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm and jailed for 12 years.

Palmer, of Longlands Avenue, Coulsdon, Surrey, was jailed for 15 years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.

He also received 12 months for possession with intent to supply drugs.

Jeffrey Amoah, of Bramble Close, Croydon, was jailed for 13 years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.

Owusu-Henewah, of Bearstead Rise, Brockley, was jailed for eight years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.

Kevin Sefaah, of Gorse Road, Croydon, was jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.

Speaking after the sentence, Flying Squad Detective Constable, Stuart Crawford said: “It took a lot of hard work from Flying Squad officers to unravel what was a very planned bank robbery that involved disguises, synchronized movements and false identities.

“The sight of two men waving handguns, making threats, must have been terrifying for all those people present in the branch that day going about their daily business.

“I would like to take this opportunity to praise their bravery in coming forward to give evidence.

“The Flying Squad and Metropolitan police will relentlessly pursue all those involved in such crimes and bring them to justice. The sentences issued today sends out a clear message of the severity of the offences committed and I hope these will serve as a warning.”