Co-op robber jailed
A 41-year-old man who committed a string of robberies over seven months was jailed at Nottingham Crown Court today (Friday).
Modou Ndow, of Westwood Road, Sneinton, Nottingham, was sentenced to 21 years in prison in connection with the eight robberies, which took place at co-operative stores in Lowdham, Sneinton, Radford, Carlton, Sherwood, Carrington and Long Eaton between November 2009 and June 2010.
He was arrested by detectives from Nottinghamshire Police in June following the robbery at Long Eaton, and was subsequently charged with the offences.
In the first five robberies, Ndow threatened staff with a knife before stealing cash, but progressed to carrying a handgun during the robberies in Lowdham, Carrington and Long Eaton.
He was also seen possession of a handgun in Radford on March 29, 2010, when detectives believe he abandoned a plan to commit a further robbery.
As a result, Ndow was also found guilty of four counts of possession of an imitation firearm and assaulting a female member of staff at the co-operative store in Highbury Road, Bulwell, on April 12, 2010.
Temporary Detective Inspector Rob McKinnell, who led the investigation into the robberies, said: ”Ndow got away with more than £21,000 during the course of these offences, and progressed from threatening staff with a knife to using an imitation firearm to intimidate them into handing over money.
“This escalation, and the fact that he was prepared to use physical violence, clearly demonstrates that he is a dangerous man who was prepared to take extreme measures to get what he wanted.
“I can only imagine how the staff members felt when Ndow confronted them but I know that many of them have been left traumatised by their experience, and while the firearm he used was an imitation, they had no way of knowing that at the time.
“Nottinghamshire Police are determined to bring all perpetrators of violent crime and robberies to justice, and I hope that this sentence acts as a strong deterrent to anyone who uses a weapon to commit these crimes.”
