Armed Robbery

Robbery is a very serious offence carrying a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. Where a weapon is used during a robbery – whether to cause harm or threaten harm – the penalties on conviction are likely to be particularly severe. Having the right legal representation as soon as possible is therefore essential.

For more than 40 years, our criminal defence solicitors have been advising and representing people accused of robbery and weapons offences. We can support you from your first contact with the police, through every stage of investigation and prosecution where required.

We understand how distressing and confusing it can be facing these types of serious charges, so as well as offering our extensive legal expertise, we can also provide the sympathetic personal support you need to get through this difficult time.

In many cases, we are able to help clients avoid charges or get charges dropped early in an investigation. If you are charged with offences related to armed robbery, we can support you through a prosecution, making sure you have the best possible legal representation.

If you have been arrested or charged for a robbery offence involving a weapon, you can contact us 24-hours a day, seven days a week for an immediate free initial consultation, expert legal advice and representation.

We speak a variety of languages across our team and work with a number of accredited interpreters, so we can give clear legal advice in any language. We are available to clients across England and Wales round the clock, so you can always get the best possible advice and representation for your case.

For a free initial consultation on dealing with armed robbery charges, please contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

Need immediate legal support for a robbery arrest? Our accredited Police Station Representatives and solicitors are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year using the emergency numbers listed at the top of the page.

Our expertise with armed robbery charges

We have decades of specialist experience defending clients against all types of offences connected to armed robbery, including:

• Robbery
• Assault with intent to rob
• Burglary
• Aggravated burglary
• Possession of an offensive weapon
• Threating with an offensive weapon in a public place
• Assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)
• Wounding/causing Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
• Firearms offences

Our detailed understanding of the law around the various types of offences that may be involved in an armed robbery mean we can ensure all relevant factors are considered and no opportunity to see charges dropped or secure lesser charges is missed.

We work with a number of the UK’s leading criminal defence barristers specialising in armed robbery offences. This means that, alongside are own legal expertise, we can also ensure that you have the very best representation if your case goes to trial.

What to do if you are arrested for a robbery involving an offensive weapon

When arrested in connection with armed robbery, you need to keep your basic legal rights in mind to help ensure that you do not say or do anything to unintentionally undermine your defence.

The following are the four key points you need to remember when arrested:

1. You do not have to answer any questions asked by the police.
2. You should never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.
3. You have the right to free legal representation.
4. You can use the duty solicitor available or choose your own lawyer.

If you are arrested on suspicion of committed an armed robbery, the arresting officers must tell you the specific offences you are accused of committing and they must caution you using the words:

“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

Following a police interview for robbery involving an offensive weapon, one of the following will occur:

• You are released with no further action
• You are released under investigation
• You are charged with a specific child sexual offence

If you are charged with offences related to an armed robbery:

• A date will be set for a court hearing
• You will either be:
  • Released on bail
  • Kept in custody until your court appearance

Please note, even if you are released with no further action or under investigation, you can be still be rearrested or summonsed to attend a court hearing at any time.

What is considered armed robbery?

There is no specific offence of ‘armed robbery’, instead there are several different offensives you could be charged with if you are suspected of committing a robbery while armed with an offensive weapon.

Robbery is an offence under the Theft Act 1968 where a person steals and during or immediately before the offence, they use force or give someone reason to fear they might use force.

Burglary involves an offender trespassing into a building or part of a building and stealing (or inflicting GBH or committing unlawful damage) or where they had the intention to carry out such an act.

There are separate offences for domestic burglary (burglary of a residential property) and non-domestic burglary (burglary of commercial or other non-residential property).

If the offender is armed during the offence, they may be charged with additional offences, including:

• Possession of an offensive weapon
• Possession of a firearm
• Possession of a firearm or ammunition with intent to endanger life
• Possession of a firearm or imitation with intent to cause fear of violence
• Entering a building or part of a building as a trespasser without reasonable excuse whilst having with him a firearm or imitation

If an offender uses a weapon during a robbery or burglary to threaten or cause harm to someone else, they could also be charged with offences including:

• Threating with an offensive weapon in a public place
• Threats to kill (even if there was no intent to carry out the threat)
• Assault with intent to rob
• Assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)
• Unlawful wounding/inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
• Attempted wounding or attempted Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
• Aggravated burglary

Penalties for armed robbery offences

The penalties on conviction for armed robbery will depend on exactly what offences are considered to have been committed during the robbery.

The maximum sentences on conviction for some of the common offences associated with armed robbery are:

Robbery – Life imprisonment

Domestic burglary – 14 years’ custody

Possession of an offensive weapon – 4 years’ custody

Possession of a firearm – 7 years’ custody

Threating with an offensive weapon in a public place – 4 years’ custody

Threats to kill – 10 years’ custody

Assault with intent to rob – Life imprisonment

What defence is there against armed robbery charges?

There can be various defences against charges for armed robbery, depending on the circumstances involved.

If you dispute that you were involved in the robbery, various types of evidence can potentially be of significance, including CCTV footage, DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence, mobile phone records and other digital data, and witness testimony.

If you accept you were involved in the robbery, but dispute the version of events put forward by police and the prosecution, establishing your version of events can potentially see you face significantly lower penalties.

For example, if police and the prosecution claim that you threatened to kill someone during the robbery, but you dispute this, whether or not the prosecution can prove this beyond reasonable doubt will make a significant difference to your sentence on conviction.

By carefully examining and questioning the evidence against you and finding flaws in the case of the police and prosecution, it is often possible to see more serious charges dropped.

Our expert criminal defence solicitors are highly experienced with the various potential charges connected to armed robbery, and can ensure any flaws in the case against you are identified, giving you the best chance of avoiding charges or facing lower charges as appropriate.

Contact our armed robbery defence lawyers today

For a free initial consultation, urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about an arrest or charges related to armed robbery, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact our dedicated criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

• Camden Office: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
• City of London: 0207 624 7771 (our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City)

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for armed robbery charges

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert criminal defence solicitors, as well as immediate representation and advice on dealing with an arrest or charges connected to an armed robbery.

We are available to represent clients all over England and Wales at any time, so please contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556.