Ipswich – Men jailed following robberies at business premises

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Pictured above L-R: Kwasi Jacobs & Barrington Aitkens

A 44-year-old man has been given a total sentence of over 17 years in connection with three robberies at business premises in Ipswich last summer, with a second man jailed for his part in one of those crimes.

Kwasi Jacobs and 42-year-old Barrington Aitkens appeared before Ipswich Crown Court today, Friday 29 April, where they were given the following sentences:

• Kwasi Jacobs; sentenced to 12 years and six months imprisonment, with an extended licence period of five years as the court considered him to be a dangerous offender, making a total sentence of 17 years and six months. He was told he will have to spend a minimum of eight years in prison before he can be considered for parole.

• Barrington Aitkens; sentenced to four years and nine months imprisonment.  

Jacobs, of Grimwade Street in Ipswich, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery; and Aitkens – who is of no fixed address - had admitted one count of robbery.

The first crime occurred between 5pm and 5.15pm on Thursday 15 July at a betting shop in Carr Street, where Jacobs entered the premises and waited for other customers to leave. He then jumped over the counter, grabbed a female member of staff by the arms and made her open the safe, stealing over £1,000. He then forced the victim into a staff toilet and made threats he would harm her if she called for help.

The second offence took place at approximately 8.30pm on Monday 19 July at a convenience shop in Felixstowe Road. Jacobs again jumped over the counter and then grabbed a female shop assistant by the neck, before stealing all the cash from the till. The victim sustained scratches to her neck as a result of this attack.

The final incident occurred at a convenience shop in Clapgate Lane at around 3.30pm on Wednesday 21 July.

Jacobs entered the shop, closed the door behind him and then assaulted a male member of staff by punching him repeatedly before dragging him across the floor by his t-shirt and forced him to open the till. He then stole a quantity of cash, along with cigarettes and alcohol.

While this attack was taking place, Aitkens effectively stood guard outside the door preventing other people from entering the shop. He was seen on CCTV to look inside through the glass in the door so was fully aware of what was taking place and when Jacobs exited the shop, he was seen to hand Aitkens two bottles of alcohol.

Police were called and Jacobs was quickly identified as a suspect. He was located and arrested by officers approximately 30 minutes later and was charged the following day.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment having sustained a broken jaw and a broken nose, along with cuts and bruising to his face.

Once Aitkens was identified as also having been involved with this final robbery, he was arrested by officers on 13 August and charged the following day.

PC Tristram Singh of South CID, said: “Kwasi Jacobs went on a violent spree targeting vulnerable lone workers to steal money, along with alcohol and cigarettes. He not only caused trauma and serious injury to the victims but substantial losses to local businesses. 

“The victims I have spoken to were terrified during the attacks and I applaud their bravery in reliving the encounters to secure the conviction.

“Whilst Barrington Aitkens may have appeared on the face of it to act as a look out, if it was not for his presence during the robbery in Clapgate Lane, the particularly violent assault against the shop worker there could potentially have been stopped by customers trying to enter the shop. 

“I hope the sentences handed down today act as a warning to violent offenders such as Jacobs and also to accomplices such as Aitkens, that we will not tolerate cowardly acts of this nature – be assured we will do everything we can to find you and bring you to justice.”