Couple who staged £8k fake armed robbery sentenced

The incident happened at Holland and Barrett on Bridge Street in Congleton

A man and a woman have been sentenced for their roles in the theft of nearly £8,000 during a fake armed robbery at a health and wellbeing shop.

Patricia Marlborough and Kristian Bramah were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday.

Marlborough reported she had been working alone in Holland and Barrett in Congleton when an unknown man entered the store and threatened her with a knife.

It later turned out the incident had been staged by the pair, who were in a relationship at the time, after Bramah was identified as being responsible for the robbery.

Marlborough was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal, committing a series of acts with intent to pervert the court of justice and fraud by false representation.

The 28-year-old, of Hough Lane, Hyde, was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and a 25-day rehabilitation order.

Bramah was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, after he admitted conspiracy to steal and possession of a knife in a public place.

The 29-year-old, of Plane Court, Churchill Way, Salford, was also ordered to complete a 25-day rehabilitation order.

Following the incident, on 16 August 2021, Marlborough said she had been forced to open the safe and then had her hand bound with cable ties.

She also submitted a claim for compensation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

'Selfish actions'

DNA analysis, as well as reviews of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and mobile phone data, linked Bramah with the incident. Detectives also discovered that the couple had been in contact with each other before and after the incident.

"Marlborough and Bramah carefully planned the robbery with the intent of making as much money as possible," said Det Con Sarah Sayer.

"Not only did they steal almost £8,000 from the store, but Marlborough even had the audacity to claim compensation following the incident.

"Thankfully, we were able to uncover their web of lies before she was able to gain any further cash.

"However, their selfish actions resulted in the loss of a significant amount of valuable police time and resources, which could have been better spent looking after real victims."