The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Skull cracker armed raider jailed
SKULL CRACKER armed robber Michael Wheatley was jailed for life yesterday for a raid on a building society while on the run from prison, the second time he has been jailed for holding up the same branch.
Wheatley, 55, was being hunted for absconding from Standford Hill prison in Kent when he pulled a handgun on staff at the Chelsea Building Society in Sunbury, Surrey, in a case which sparked a political row over the day release of dangerous criminals.
Wheatley, a prolific armed robber for more than 35 years, was already serving 13 life sentences for a string of raids when he disappeared after being let out of the Category D Isle of Sheppey unit for the day on May 3.
Guildford Crown Court heard yesterday that one of the robberies for which Wheatley was jailed at the Old Bailey in October 2002 was on the same branch in the Surrey commuter belt town he targeted on May 7.
Its manager had warned staff the night before this year’s robbery to be on their guard in case he struck there, the court heard.
Ordering Wheatley to serve at least 10 years before being eligible for parole, Judge Christopher Chritch low told him his was a “special case” because of his prolific record of violent armed robberies and re-offending after being released from prison.
The judge told him: “You went to the same branch which you robbed in about 2001.
“You therefore deliberately targeted this branch and planned this raid.
“You knew exactly what you were doing, having committed such crimes so many times,” the judge said.
He added: “It is clear the public must be protected from you for a long time.”
Appearing via video-link from the maximum security HMP Belmarsh in south east London, Wheatley showed no emotion and sat with his arms folded as he was sentenced.
The court heard that he has 23 previous convictions for robbery, two for attempted robbery and 18 for related firearms offences.
He has been in prison on and off for most of his adult life.
He was given his nickname after pistol-whipping innocent bystanders during previous robberies, including a 73-year-old woman.