Armed robber storms bookmakers with BB gun before apologising and fleeing scene

An armed robber has been jailed after storming a bookmakers and threatening staff with a BB gun – before apologising and fleeing the scene.

Richard Soltanpur has been sentenced to almost three years behind bars after the raid at Coral in the Fawdon area of Newcastle.

Newcastle Crown Court was told how the thief targeted the premises on March 20 in the middle of the day.

CCTV footage played in court showed the 42-year-old man calmly walking up to the counter, pulling out a handgun and demanding the lone staff member to hand over cash.

His victim turned over £175 before Soltanpur stuffed it in his rucksack and began to leave – only to turn back and say “sorry, I’m desperate”.

Police were called and expert camera operators then tracked the gunman’s movements as he caught a Metro train.

When he arrived at Kingston Park station, armed officers were waiting there to arrest him. When he saw officers he confessed “yes, it was me”.

The firearm was seized and found to be a gas powered BB gun that was loaded and cocked. A quantity of cash was also seized.

Soltanpur, of Peldon Close, Longbenton, was later charged with robbery and possessing a firearm.

He admitted the offences at Newcastle Crown Court and on August 24 he was sentenced to two years and eight months behind bars.

In a victim impact statement read during the sentencing hearing, the staff member at the bookmakers said he feared for his life.

The court heard Soltanpur had run up a drugs debt before he carried out the offence and was committing the robbery to pay what he owed.