Robbery gang sentenced for raids

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Five members of a gang who carried out more than 30 armed robberies and burglaries have been sentenced.

The robberies took place across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Devon and Cornwall.

James Curtis, 48, and his sons James Walter Curtis, 25, and Mark Morris Curtis, 18, all of Littleport, Cambridgeshire, were jailed.

Also jailed at Norwich Crown Court were Charles Lee, 44, of St Neots, and Stanley Rainford, 47, of Sawtry.

They had pleaded guilty to a variety of offences including armed robbery and aggravated burglary.

'Terrifying ordeals'

Norfolk Police said the investigation into the robberies, dubbed Operation Aline, was one of the biggest policing operations ever conducted in the county.

The offences were carried out between 18 August 2007 and 7 February 2008.

James Curtis Snr, of Mill Field, Littleport, was handed an indeterminate sentence but must serve at least five-and-a-half years in prison.

"They took all the jewellery my husband bought me," said Sylvia Kent

James Walter Curtis, also of Mill Field, Littleport, was given an indeterminate sentence but must serve at least five years in prison.

Charles Lee must serve at least six years in prison. Stanley Rainford was jailed for six years in prison.

Mark Morris Curtis was sentenced to five years in a young offenders institution.

Following the hearing, Det Ch Insp Steve Strong, from Norfolk Police, said: "I would describe these criminals as totally lawless, they believed they could do exactly what they pleased and because of the extreme violence they used, felt they would always get away with it.

"They showed total disregard for their victims, both during the crimes and making good their escape.

"These incidents were terrifying ordeals for the victims involved, many of whom still struggle with the impact that these crimes have had upon their lives."

CCTV images show one of the robberies