News

Twelve years for armed robber who posed as a police officer 

Three store robberies ended with theft of a vehicle while posing as a police officer

By Sheila Nursimhulu

A photo of Crispin Kent
Crispin Kent, photo courtesy of Metropolitan Police

Armed robber Crispin Kent, who fired a gun at terrified Newham shopkeepers during a spate of robberies, has been jailed for 12 years. 

The sentencing hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 28 September took place after Kent, of Alnwick Road E16, was found guilty on three counts of armed robbery which took place in December 2019. 

On all three occasions, between 11 and 18 December, Kent entered stores with his face covered, fired a gun at the floor before demanding money from the till. One brave shop worker chased him off the premises where he committed his last crime.

Undeterred, only an hour later, Kent and an accomplice went on to pose as police officers in nearby Bow where they asked a lone woman to pull over. They stole her vehicle and drove off. He was found guilty of posing as a police officer and robbery of a vehicle. 

Police arrested him at his home in February 2020 where officers found clothing worn during the offences. 

Forensic evidence, including DNA and ballistic evidence further linked Kent to the robberies after the gun was recovered. CCTV footage also appeared to show Kent replacing the number plates of the vehicle outside his home address. 

The other man involved has never been identified and police are still trying to establish his identity. 

Despite the terrifying experiences of his victims, the court was told there were no reported injuries. 

After the hearing Detective Constable Craig Prout of the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad, said: “Kent is clearly a violent individual who thinks nothing of getting what he wants, or of the long-lasting impact his offences have had on these innocent victims. 

“They are people who were going about their day as normal and Kent made them fear for their lives. I am pleased that the sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of Kent’s offending. It is entirely correct that he spends a significant amount of time behind bars.”


No news is bad news 

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts. 

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less. 

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation. 

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit 

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. 

Donate now with Pay Pal

More information on supporting us monthly or annually 

More Information about donations

Tags