Gun-wielding robber jailed

Feb 29 2008 by Chloe Griffiths, Liverpool Daily Post

A GUN-TOTING robber who targeted women cashiers at a bank and a betting shop has been put behind bars indefinitely.

Samuel Corlett carried out two terrifying raids using imitation guns within a week.

The raids came just eight months after the drug addict was released from a 10-year stretch after stealing £9,000 from a Barclays bank.

Yesterday, Judge David Swift ordered that Corlett be jailed indefinitely for public protection, after hearing he had already been sentenced to a total of 18 years for similar offences.

He ruled the 36-year-old, of Henry Street, Liverpool, serve a minimum of five years before being considered for release.

“These were serious offences of robbery in premises which you expected to find cash.

“The premises were targeted, the staff were threatened and imitation firearms were used.”

During the first raid, at a Ladbroke's betting shop on Windsor Lane, Southport, on July 11, Corlett produced a gun and threatened the woman behind the counter.

He told the deputy manager: “Fill the bag with notes or I swear I’ll kill you”.

Corlett, who was undisguised, fled with £235, but just five days later he carried out another raid at the Old Swan branch of HSBC, pulling two guns on a cashier.