Lowestoft pair jailed for shop robbery

Misha Goddard & Heather Ellis

Two women have been jailed for a knife point robbery in Lowestoft.

Heather Ellis, aged 21, of Norwich Road in Lowestoft and Misha Goddard, aged 29, also of Norwich Road in Lowestoft were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday (Wed 13 Sept) both to 32 months in jail each.

Both pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to robbery.

The incident occurred between 11.45am and 11.55am on Sunday 14 May at Pammy’s Store on Beresford Road in Lowestoft.

One offender entered the store and threatened a shop worker with a knife whilst the other offender remained outside. A large quantity of cash of was subsequently stolen in a bag. The shop worker was shaken but unharmed.

Officers conducted enquiries and arrested the pair the following day Monday 15 May. Viewing of CCTV by investigating officers matched Ellis as the woman seen in the footage near to the scene of the robbery.

Searches conducted at the defendants’ home addresses saw several items seized, including a pair of black boots and a long grey cardigan, similar to the items Ellis was wearing in the CCTV. Meanwhile, a search of Goddard’s vehicle found some grey Nike trainers that were similar to those worn during the robbery, as well as carrier bags that matched the description of a bag seen during the robbery given by the shop worker.

DI Jamie Rose said: “Due to the CCTV, witness statements and a very thorough investigation by officers we were able to secure swift arrests of Ellis and Goddard. Further police enquiries conducted secured compelling evidence that the pair were responsible for the robbery. The investigating officer DC Emily Leach and the whole team at East CID worked diligently.

"This case shows that Suffolk Constabulary will act quickly when it comes to knife crime and robbery and look to get offenders before a court as soon as possible.”