Saddam mask raiders are guilty

The series of robberies happened last year

Three robbers who wore Saddam Hussein masks while carrying out 21 armed raids in under three months across southern England and Wales are facing sentence.

They bought the £10 masks in Blackpool before raiding shops, pubs and post offices, Reading Crown Court was told.

Jamie Miell, aged 25, of Hampshire, denied involvement but was found guilty after a trial.

Mark Davies, 27, of Neath, south Wales, and Garri Collins, 22, of Aldershot, admitted their part.

Between 30 October and 19 December last year, they used guns, knives and baseball bats to steal cash totalling £32,000.

Police became aware of the link after five of the earlier raids, most of which were recorded on CCTV, showed the three wearing the Saddam masks.

Trail of terror 30 Oct: One Stop Shop, Wooburn Green, Bucks 3 Nov: Post Office, Romsey, Hants 3 Nov: One Stop Shop, Bramley, Hants 3 Nov: Threshers, Prestwood, Bucks 4 Nov: Post Office, Usk, Monmouthshire 5 Nov: Village Stores, Great Kingshill, Bucks 7 Nov: One Stop Shop, Sonning Common, Oxfordshire 9 Nov: Southgate Country Club, Swansea 13 Nov:General Stores, Wooburn Green, Bucks 14 Nov: Post Office, Woodcote, Oxfordshire 16 Nov:The George pub, Holyport, Bucks 17 Nov: King George pub, High Wycombe, Bucks 18 Nov:One Stop Shop, Creigiau, Cardiff 18 Nov:Spar shop, Usk, Monmouthshire 20 Nov:Holiday Mews, Fetcham, Surrey 21 Nov:Post Office, Coulsdon, Surrey 23 Nov:Greyhound pub, Swansea 24 Nov:Duffryn Arms pub, Bryncoch, Neath 12 Dec: Social Club, Aberkenfig, Bridgend 18 Dec: Post Office, Brynmenyn, Bridgend 19 Dec: Post Office, Pontneathvaughan, Neath

Six police forces were involved in tracking the trio, and Miell was arrested at his home on 1 December.

This was described as the "catalyst" for the subsequent arrests of Davies at Heston service station on 20 December and Collins in Tilehurst, Reading, three days later.

On Thursday Miell, aged 25, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to rob and 18 of possessing a firearm whilst committing or attempting to commit a robbery.

Davies and Collins pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to rob and 21 firearms offences.

Judge Zoe Smith said the three men would be sentenced next week.

Speaking after the trial Detective Chief Inspector Dave Lewis, of Thames Valley Police, who led the investigation, said of Miell: "This man was ruthless and had no consideration for his victims.

"I hope his conviction sends out a clear message to criminals involved in armed robbery that we will catch those responsible and bring them to justice."

The three Welsh police forces involved in the investigation, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales, described the case as "one of their most recent triumphs".

In a statement, they said the three "were not averse to using violence on their victims when they felt it was necessary to reinforce their demands for money.

"These men are extremely dangerous and the armed robberies cast a huge shadow over local communities.

"Any investigation of this complexity and magnitude will bring huge challenges for the police service," they said.

"The Welsh and English forces met that challenge and were able to respond effectively and positively, not only bringing the offenders to justice, but convicting them for 21 offences or armed robbery."