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'They weren't going to stop until caught'
A PAIR of armed robbers who carried out over 20 raids in two months have been jailed for a total of 32 years.
One of the robberies targeted the Top Shop off licence on Aughton Lane at Swallownest.
Nicholas Overton, 28, from Sheffield admitted all 23 raids but the jury could not reach a verdict against his accomplice Nigel Beever, 37, also of Sheffield, in relation to the Swallownest robbery.
During the trial the court heard that a handgun was used in each of the raids.
The robberies were carried out between 29th December last year and 20th Febraury this year across five counties.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that babyfaced gunman Overton and his shaggy-haired getaway driver, Beever, got a sick thrill from terrifying shop workers in armed hold-ups.
Their total haul was just 8,500 – but their actions have left some of their victims too afraid to return to work.
The Swallownest store was held up on Monday 13th February this year.
Heroin addict Beever was found guilty of 22 robberies and six specimen counts of possessing a firearm with intent to commit robbery, following the two-week trial.
The men were caught in February after their getaway car was spotted in Sheffield.
Overton was branded a danger to the public and jailed indefinitely under new powers.
Judge Roger Keen QC said the public was at "significant risk of serious psychological harm" from Overton re-offending and ordered he should serve at least eight-and-a-half years before being considered for parole.
Getaway driver Beever was jailed for 14 years under normal sentencing powers. He could be free after half of his sentence.
Overton had previous convictions for theft, deception, possessing heroin, perverting the course of justice, burglary, and a knifepoint robbery.
Beever's previous convictions included handling stolen goods, burglary, theft, assault, possessing heroin and assault.
Det Sgt Chris Singleton, from South Yorkshire Police's robbery squad, said he had never before encountered a similar spree of burglaries over such a period.
"This was a particularly protracted and worrying series of armed robberies committed within South Yorkshire and four surrounding counties committed by two individuals who had clearly set upon a course of conduct which would only conclude with their arrest," he said.
"The impact upon staff members faced by the gunman has had such a traumatic effect that several have been unable to return to their place of work."
"Neither man showed any form of remorse and the only crumb of comfort came from Overton who eventually pleaded guilty at the start of the trial."
"The sentence imposed by His Honour Judge Keen of 18 years for Overton and 14 years for Beever should act as a deterrent for anyone considering this type of offence."
He added that it was clear that the two men got a thrill from what they were doing.
"They got more confident and brazen and weren't going to stop until they were caught."
"They clearly enjoyed what they were doing."
"A number of the victims thought they were going to be shot and were in fear for their lives."
"South Yorkshire Police are committed to tackling this type of crime and as such have a dedicated team of detectives constantly monitoring and investigating such offences."
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Weather for Dinnington
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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