Gunpoint robbers jailed after targeting Brighton betting shops

Jamie Casaletto, 33, of Colgate Close, Brighton, and John Clugston, 27, of Egmont Close, Hove, were sentenced when they appeared in custody at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, November 18, having pleaded guilty to two robberies in the city.

Casaletto was sentenced to 11 years, and will have to serve at least eight years before being eligible to apply for parole. Clugston was sentenced to 14 years, and will have to serve a minimum of ten years.

The first robbery happened on Sunday, August 7, at the Ladbrokes branch in The Broadway, Whitehawk, at 9.15pm.

Sussex Police said two men entered the betting shop and demanded cash from the staff. One of them was armed with a handgun. They escaped with £2,800 from the safe and the tills. No one was hurt.

Then on Tuesday, August 9, officers said two men went to the Ladbrokes in St George’s Road, Kemptown, at 7.20pm. One was again armed with a handgun and the other had a knife. They demanded cash from the cashier and made off with more than £1,000 cash.

No shots were fired in either incident.

The pair were arrested in Brighton on August 10, following enquiries by local officers, and the gun was recovered.

Detective Constable Steve Amner said: “Staff at both shops were out in fear and considerably shaken though unhurt. Thanks to CCTV and our local officers in East Brighton, the pair were swiftly identified and arrested.”