Gang jailed for plot to rob accountant

A gang of four who hatched a plot to rob a Yorkshire business of tens of thousands of pounds have been jailed for more than 20 years between them. The gang included an ‘inside man’, Leon Donovan, who knew that an accountant for a large food factory took the same route to the bank each day to pay in the proceeds.

A GANG of four who hatched a plot to rob a business of tens of thousands of pounds have been jailed for more than 20 years between them.

The gang included an ‘inside man’, Leon Donovan, who knew that an accountant for a large food factory took the same route to the bank each day to pay in the proceeds.

Bradford Crown Court yesterday heard that his three accomplices were thwarted on the day of the planned robbery when armed officers swooped on their stolen car.

Recorder Jonathan Sandiford said Donovan, of Queenshill Avenue, Moortown, Leeds, had a “position of trust” at P&B Foods, a large business in Bradford’s Rooley Lane, but had been expecting to lose his job.

Prosecuting, Alasdair Campbell said the plot was an “inside job”, with Donovan providing details of the accountant’s routine. Accomplices David Hindle, 39, Shahid Farooq, 31, and Benjamin Bateman, 29, were then planning to rob him on December 19 last year as he walked through Bradford city centre on the way to the bank.

Hindle and Farooq were seen days before the planned robbery.

Mr Campbell said if the robbery had gone ahead, they “would have been disappointed”, as the £45,000 the accountant was carrying was in cheques rather than cash.

Before they could strike, their stolen Volkswagen Polo, which had false plates, was intercepted by armed officers who boxed them in using police vehicles. Hindle, who was driving, tried to escape the trap by revving the engine and driving the car backwards and forwards, hitting the police vehicles in front and behind and making one officer fear he would be struck.

Mr Campbell said when the intended victim was later told of the plot by police, he began to have sleepless nights.

He said: “He was fearful of carrying out his job and in fact did not go to the bank for a number of weeks.”

He said the business had also had to review its security arrangements.

Donovan, 36, was found guilty at trial of conspiracy to rob. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

Hindle, of Broadlea View, Bramley, Leeds, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, handling the stolen car and dangerous driving. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Farooq, of Crescent Walk, Bradford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and handling the stolen car. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

Bateman, of Rushmoor Road, Bradford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Speaking afterwards, Detective Inspector Anthony Scopelliti of West Yorkshire Police said: “This was a well-planned conspiracy to rob the accountant of a large company by a group of organised criminals.

“It was only due to the intervention of police officers that this robbery did not take place and no one was harmed. The intended victim was a man who was targeted simply for doing his job.

“The courts clearly take a very dim view of such serious offences and West Yorkshire Police welcome the sentences given to the defendants, which should serve as a stern warning to others of the consequences of such crimes.”

The intended victim was targeted simply for doing his job.

Detective Inspector Anthony Scopelliti.