Robber sentenced to five years for armed raid in Muswell Hill
Charlotte Newton AN ARMED robber who carried out a raid on a Muswell Hill travel agents, has been given an indeterminate sentence and told he must serve at least five years in jail. Michael Michaelides, 42, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court yesterd
Charlotte Newton
AN ARMED robber who carried out a raid on a Muswell Hill travel agents, has been given an indeterminate sentence and told he must serve at least five years in jail.
Michael Michaelides, 42, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday February 3).
Julian Jones for the prosecution described how Michaelides stormed Thomas Cook in Muswell Hill Broadway at 5.20pm on Monday 16 November 2009, armed with a firearm.
He ordered two petrified female members of staff to give him access to the foreign exchange bureau and then filled a carrier bag with �10, 523.16.
But unbeknown to Michalaelides, a third member of staff had raised the alarm with traders nearby. Police were called and officers attended the scene - arresting Michaelides inside the shop.
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Michaelides, of Cardinals Way, Islington, pleaded guilty on January 13, to robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
In mitigation, Ciara McElvogue, said that Michaelides did not use any physical violence during the raid and that the weapon was in fact an unloaded gas powered air pistol.
She said: "He accepts responsibility for his actions and wishes to express remorse. He would like to apologise to everyone who was involved."
But in sentencing him, Judge Witold Pawlak said: "This was a terrifying experience for the staff of the shop...
"It was a very serious offence and I believe there is a high risk of you offending in the future because of your appalling record. I've no doubt that you are a dangerous person."
After the court case, investigating officer DC Adrian Whitewick, said: "This was a very serious robbery where staff members carrying out their daily business were threatened by an armed gunman. The actions of both the staff and members of the public were crucial in assisting officers to arrest Michaelides and recover the firearm and stolen cash."
For the full story see the Ham&High Broadway on Thursday (February 11).
