Queensferry Barclays Bank armed robber jailed for seven years

Appearing from custody at Mold Crown Court, Joseph John Hennigan, 32, pleaded guilty to robbing £25,000 from Barclays Bank in Queensferry on Wednesday, April 18.

The court heard that Hennigan, of no fixed address in Liverpool, was part of a three man masked gang armed with crowbars who targeted a G4S van as it was depositing cash at the bank on Station Road.

David Maidstone, prosecuting, described how security guard Paul Wilkinson parked outside the bank at about 10.15am, put on his security clothing and began placing bags containing £25,000 in cash into a metal box before putting them in a chute towards the back of the building.

Mr Wilkinson had completed four trips when a Nissan Duke pulled up and three men wearing masks and paper overalls charged into the bank.

One man remained at the door while the other two approached the guard who dropped the box which was then emptied while the men threatened staff with a crowbar.

CCTV footage showed a smoke alarm going off in the bank which filled each room while one of the men tried to access a door to the safe.

When he was unable to do so the men escaped and drove off in the Nissan which was later found abandoned.

About 30 minutes later Hennigan was stopped in the Islington area of Liverpool after he had exited the Wallasey tunnel. Officers had noticed the VW Caddy he was driving had false number plates.

Officers reported Hennigan seemed nervous and proceeded to search the vehicle whereupon they found paper overalls, a crowbar, a notebook detailing delivery times, numerous false number plates and exactly £25,000 in cash.

Hennigan was arrested and answered no comment to all questions in interview.

Mr Maidstone read out witness impact statements from both Mr Wilkinson and three female members of staff who working in the bank at the time of the robbery.

Mr Wilkinson said he had worked as a security guard for 11 years during which time he had been attacked on three previous occasions and suffered a stab wound and broken fingers.

He said the incident had brought back memories of these incidents and he added that seeing staff in the back in tears had upset him.

“It remains in the back of my mind that I might be attacked again,” he said.

Statements from the staff described how one had felt so frightened she had hidden herself in a cupboard while all three spoke of being “terrified” with one still feeling able to return to work.

The court was told Hennigan, who sat with his head in hands throughout proceedings, had 28 previous convictions for 56 offences including being sentenced in 2011 to eight years imprisonment for his role in a drugs gang dealing heroin and cocaine.

John Rowan, defending, said his client and an “unenviable record” but had showed “genuine remorse”.

He said: “He tells me he is disgusted by his actions and the fear and distress he has caused.

“He has asked me with genuine empathy if these people are all right.

“He is full of serious regret and remorse and after speaking to him I believe this is genuine.”

Mr Rowan said Hennigan had missed his nine-year-old-son growing up because of a previous spell in prison.

“He promised his partner and son that he would put behind him a life of crime,” said Mr Rowan who added Hennigan had started a business as a personal trainer but had got into financial difficulty.

“This was a spur of the moment decision, “ he added. “A quick way to solve a short term cash crisis and now he beats himself up every day.”

Sentencing, Hennigan, Judge Rhys Rowland said: “It must have been a terrifying ordeal for the customers and serious psychological harm has been caused to the staff.

“This sentence will be all the harder because of the promises you made to your family.”

After the sentencing hearing Det Insp Eleri Thomas, of North Wales Police, said: “ This was a very frightening experience for the staff and public going about their lawful business.

“The sentence reflects the seriousness of this offence in which crowbars were wielded.”

“I’d like to thank our colleagues in Merseyside Police for their assistance as Hennigan was quickly apprehended and thankfully all the stolen money was recovered.”