Increased sentences for robbers who targeted Surrey golf club

08/11/2012

A pair of masked robbers who threatened staff at a golf club in Frimley with baseball bats, before leaving them gagged and bound, have had their sentences increased.

Portia Ragnauth, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS South East, referred the case of Mitchell Laidlaw and Kieran Beatty to the Attorney General as unduly lenient sentences.

Both had pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to rob, following a robbery at the Pine Ridge Golf Club on 20 March 2011. Laidlaw threatened a supervisor with a baseball bat and demanded that he emptied the till. The supervisor was then tied to a tree in a nearby wood and was gagged, while another member of staff was also left gagged and bound.

Laidlaw was originally jailed at Guildford Crown Court in August for two and a half years, while Beatty was handed a prison sentence of two years. The Court of Appeal considered the case yesterday (Wednesday 7 November) and concluded that the sentences did not accurately reflect the aggravating factors of the case. These included what happened to the victim and possessing a weapon and wearing a disguise, both indicating that the robbery had been planned.

The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentences, with Laidlaw's increased to four and a half years, while Beatty was given an increased sentence of two years and eight months.

Senior District Crown Prosecutor for the CPS South East, Nigel Knight, said: "The CPS felt that the sentence originally handed down was unduly lenient, as it did not take into account the aggravating factors in this case, which the Court of Appeal has now agreed with. The aggravating factors included the use of weapons and disguises, but most importantly for the victim, what he went through that night. I doubt any of us can imagine how terrifying it must have been to be threatened with a weapon and left gagged and bound to a tree. I hope the longer sentences handed out to both Laidlaw and Beatty will help the victim to move on with his life."

Notes for Editors:

The Law Officers consider requests for a reference independently, whether the request to do so is made by the CPS or a member of the public (including victims).

Further information can be found here: http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/fact_sheets/unduly_lenient_sentences/