Betting shop raid overheard by police

Jul 1 2008 by Chloe Griffiths, Liverpool Daily Post

A DRAMATIC 999 call captured the moment armed raider struck at a betting shop.

The manager of a St Helens William Hill store was on the phone to the police when gunman Gareth Hunter burst into the shop.

The screams and sobs of the bookies’ employees were recorded as Hunter demanded cash while wielding a handgun.

The manager Anthony Dempsey, who had rung to report an abusive drunk, was able to give a description of the raider seconds after he fled.

The robbery was one of five hold-ups Hunter made in the run-up to Christmas, escaping with nearly £2,500.

The drug addict had been released from prison days earlier.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Hunter, who was on bail for a burglary, had resorted to the raids because of a £3,000 debt to dealers.

But yesterday he was locked up indefinitely for public protection.

The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Henry Globe QC ordered Hunter, of Gentwood Road, Huyton, to serve a minimum of three years and four months.