Prison for runaway armed robber

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8133829.stm

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An armed robber who escaped from a Welsh crown court last year has been jailed for an indefinite term.

Gareth Williams, 36, from Bodffordd, Anglesey, escaped from custody at Mold Crown Court on 23 December 2008.

He was sentenced at Chester Crown Court for five armed robberies, two committed after he absconded, across north Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside.

Judge David Hale told Williams: "It will be very many years before you are considered for parole".

Williams was arrested in March in Merseyside as he attempted to escape from police in a cross-border operation that involved officers from Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and north Wales.

In June he pleaded guilty to the robbery at Corbett's bookmakers in Hoole, Chester, on 2 March, and the robbery at the "Local" off-licence in Ormskirk, Lancashire, three days later.

A highly dangerous, armed criminal has been removed from the streets and the general public can, justly, feel safer as a result. Det Con Jonathan Carter

Williams also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence at the two robberies, and escaping from lawful custody at Mold Crown Court last December.

Further offences included dangerous and disqualified driving in Liverpool on 7 March and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.

Williams was also sentenced on Friday for the robberies at knifepoint he committed before his escape from court in Mold.

He was convicted of several robberies and fraud offences that took place in north Wales from September to December last year, but absconded before he could be sentenced.

After sentencing, Det Con Jonathan Carter from Northwich Police station, said: "This was an extremely detailed enquiry led by Cheshire Constabulary, which involved a number of surrounding police force areas.

"The sentence passed on Williams today is a testament to the dedication of the officers who have worked on this case.

"Due to the hard work and commitment of the police team, a highly dangerous, armed criminal has been removed from the streets and the general public can, justly, feel safer as a result."

Williams will have to serve a minimum of four-and-a-half years before he can be considered for parole.