This latest news come less than a fortnight after robber Ali Lwanga was convicted for a string of robberies on G4S Cash-in-Transit vans in East London after the Metropolitan Police used SmartWater evidence on stolen banknotes to tie him to four different robberies.
Elliot Burton (28), Luke Nash (25) and Simon Waller (29), all from Birmingham, have been sentenced for their roles in a string of vicious armed robberies on high class jewellers committed at locations across eight police forces, including two armed robberies at Jeremy France Jewellers in Winchester. Property stolen from the robberies was estimated to be worth approximately GB pound 2 million.
The group made a decisive error when they attempted a second robbery at the Jeremy France outlet in December 2006, as the store had opted to install a SmartWater spray system following the first attack. Upon entering the store, the SmartWater system was activated, spraying the offenders with a forensic liquid which contained a DNA-style code linking them with the crime scene.
Five months after the aborted robbery, police carried out a series of raids on separate addresses in the Birmingham area. All premises were fully searched and a handgun was recovered. Upon inspection under a UV light, traces of SmartWater were clearly visible and forensic analysis of the SmartWater traced the gun back to the Winchester robbery.
Officers commended for their efforts
The sentences follow a three week trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Elliott Burton was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robberies between November 2005 and May 2007, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His co-defendant Luke Nash was sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of robbery on November 8, 2005 and possession of a firearm. At the beginning of the trial, Simon Waller – who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robberies between November 2005 and May 2007 – was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Officers from Hampshire Constabulary who investigated the case were commended by the judge for their work.
Detective inspector Frances Payne from Hampshire Constabulary (the senior investigating officer) said: “These sentences are the result of an extensive investigation led by Hampshire Constabulary which covered eight police force areas over a three-year period. The results should stand as a stark warning to anyone intent on committing criminal activity that we are relentless in our determination to prosecute, secure a conviction and a prison sentence.”
Chief superintendent Peter Goodall – also from Hampshire Constabulary – added: “I’m extremely pleased that the immense effort and hard work of the officers involved has resulted in the sentences handed down today. The team rose to the challenge of a nationwide investigation and I wish to single out DI Payne for her leadership in co-ordinating this complex policing operation, bringing it to a successful conclusion.”
Assisting the UK’s police services
Speaking about these latest convictions, SmartWater chief executive Phil Cleary told info4security: “The verdict again underlines the role that SmartWater is playing in assisting the UK’s police services, providing them with robust forensic evidence which has been upheld in Court.”
The successful conviction of Elliot Burton, Luke Nash and Simon Waller was featured on BBC One’s ‘Crime Watch Solved’, which aired on Wednesday at 9.00 pm.