THREE men involved in the armed robbery of a convenience store in Clacton have been sentenced to a total of more than 14 years’ imprisonment.

Darren Hughes, of Flowers Way, Jaywick, and Keith Palfreman, of Gorse Way, Jaywick, entered the Co-op in Coopers Lane armed with knives at 1pm on October 27, 2015.

They threatened the female cashier, forcing her to open the till and hand over a three-figure sum of cash.

Hughes, 45, and Palfreman, 38, then spotted a second till and pushed, shoved and threatened staff as they became increasingly frustrated that they were unable to open it.

Shoppers raised the alarm with police causing Palfreman and Hughes to flee on foot from the shop to Sycamore Way, Clacton, where Daryl Zupp-Johnson was waiting in a transit van to act as the getaway driver.

A number of witnesses bravely followed the men in their own vehicles to Fir Way, Jaywick, where Palfreman and Hughes fled on foot.

Zupp-Johnson, 38, of Talbot Avenue, Jaywick, drove off but was quickly arrested in Meadow Way, Jaywick, on suspicion of robbery.

After receiving information from witnesses, officers identified an address in Beach Way, Jaywick, where Hughes and Palfreman had fled. Both were arrested on suspicion of robbery and cash, knives and clothing linked to the robbery were recovered.

Hughes and Palfreman were later charged with robbery and threatening a person with a knife and Zupp-Johnson was charged with robbery and two separate and unrelated offences of burglary and dangerous driving.

Gazette:

  • The scene of the armed robbery last October

Hughes and Palfreman pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court on April 13, 2016 and were sentenced to 50 months imprisonment. Both were also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.

Zupp-Johnson pleaded guilty to robbery and two separate offences of burglary and dangerous driving at the same court on the same date. He was sentenced to 44 months’ imprisonment for robbery, 32 months’ imprisonment for burglary to run consecutively and two months’ imprisonment for dangerous driving also to run consecutively. He was also disqualified from driving and ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge.

Between October 23 and October 27, 2015, Zupp-Johnson broke into a 72-year-old man’s flat in Wash Lane, Clacton, and stole a set of special edition 50p and £2 coins commemorating the Olympics.

Zupp-Johnson was also sentenced for an incident of dangerous driving which took place on June 20 last year.

Having been involved in a collision earlier that week, he attempted to drive from Severn Road, Clacton, back to Jaywick with brakes he knew were not functioning.

He collided with another vehicle, which was witnessed by a police officer who tried to stop him. Unable to stop, Zupp-Johnson collided with the police car causing injury to the officer.

PC Robert Dines, of Clacton CID, said: "I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of the staff at the Co-op and the witnesses whose clear, calm and concise commentary of a fast moving crime helped officers locate and quickly arrest these three violent men.

"The quality and depth of the evidence against Palfreman, Hughes and Zupp-Johnson left them with no choice but to plead guilty. All three have now been brought to justice and are behind bars.”

Sgt Jason Dearsley, of Stanway road policing unit, said: "The deliberate actions of Zupp-Johnson caused damage to an innocent motorist’s car and to a police vehicle. He also caused injury to a serving police officer who was simply protecting his community. He suffered nerve damage and continues to feel pain.

"The sentencing of Zupp-Johnson rightly reflects the gravitas of this offence and the total disregard for both his safety and that of everyone else using the roads.”