Ram raiders caught out after leaving purse with ID at scene
ABRISTOL couple ramraided a Boots store before stealing thousands of pounds worth of designer perfume – but were caught because the woman robber left her purse at the scene.
Michael Denyer, 33, of Millground Road, and Christina Colton, 44, of Briscoes Avenue, wore balaclavas to hide their identities – but police were able to track them down from identification in the purse.
The pair have now been jailed – more than two years after the incident – after pleading guilty to burglary and criminal damage.
Denyer and Colton travelled to the Boots branch on Bythesea Road in Trowbridge and purposefully crashing into the store, before driving up to the perfume counter and bagging £15,000 worth of perfume and aftershave.
The incident happened at 3.25am on Sunday, June 23, 2019 and caused £13,000 worth of damage to the store, forcing it to temporarily close.
Denyer and Colton made a quick escape, but left behind a purse which contained ID belonging to Colton.
Detectives still had to prove she was the offender and that the purse had not merely been left during trading hours.
Denyer was arrested the night after the incident near the same Ford Fiesta used in the ram raid.
Evidence recovered from his phone and CCTV from the day of the incident, which showed him in store conducting reconnaissance ahead of the burglary, proved the extent of his planning.
Crime Scene Investigators also obtained forensic evidence which proved he was one of the offenders.
Detective Constable James Gatherum of Wiltshire Police said: “Colton has repeatedly tried to evade justice for this crime and there have been warrants out for her arrest since she previously failed to appear for court hearings.
“Denyer has remained in prison for an unrelated offence, since being charged for this burglary.
“Today’s sentencing marks the end of a very long journey since the incident happened, but after a great deal of evidence gathering and delays caused by Colton, I am happy to see both defendants receive lengthy prison sentences.”
Denyer and Colton were sentenced at Swindon Crown Court.
Both had previously pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage.
Denyer was jailed for three years, while Colton was jailed for two years and nine months, which included sentencing for both this incident and twice failing to surrender to custody.