An ill-fitting balaclava worn during an armed robbery in Ramsgate has led to twin brothers being jailed for six years each.
During the afternoon of Wednesday, February 19, Ben and Luke Twyman targeted a bookmakers in Newington Road, threatening staff with a handgun and stealing hundreds of pounds.
However a baggy-fitting balaclava worn by one of the 30-year-old brothers meant staff could see his face and recognised him as a regular customer who had been in the bookies earlier that day to place a bet.
Kent Police officers quickly identified the culprits and, within an hour of the robbery, found the Twyman brothers who had gone to a pub in Margate town centre to count their stolen cash.
Armed officers attended the premises and promptly arrested Luke Twyman of Lancaster Close, Ramsgate, as he stepped outside for a cigarette.
Although his twin managed to leave the pub before he was captured, four days later he was found and charged for the robbery.
The investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate confirmed that Ben Twyman had been the offender holding the gun who approached the counter during the robbery, while Luke stood at the door, keeping watch.
At Canterbury Crown Court they both pleaded guilty to robbery, while Ben Twyman of Westover Road, Broadstairs, also admitted a count of having a firearm with intent.
The pair were sentenced to six years each via virtual link at court, on their 30th birthdays, today (May 19).
Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jason Booth said: “The brothers believed that robbing a business was the easiest and fastest way to get their hands on some cash. They threatened staff and pointed a weapon directly at them.
“It would have been terrifying, as most people would not know if the firearm is genuine in that situation.
“Unbelievably the Twyman twins didn’t seem to care about the severity of their actions as they went for a pint down the pub immediately after.
“However our officers take a very serious view of armed robbery and were determined to bring them before the courts so the public were no longer at risk of harm from them.”
State of them. Talk about the chuckle brothers.
That’s not fair on the chuckle brothers…
“ Hi I’m thick and this is my brother thicker”
Regardless whether these to are thick or not its the fact that the people who worked at the betting office had a gun pointed at them and did not know what they were going to do with it. They recognised the men if they had shown that to the robbers would they be shot killed no one would know in that situation you can’t tell in that situation how they will react. To dangerous criminals have been locked up not long enough in my view but they are off the streets for now. I think Thanetian blind & Ann are forgetting what the people who faced the 2 of them went through what would they do or be like if they faced a gun over the counter Would they be laughing then!!. Thanks to the people of the bookies who remained calm they were arrested so quickly and the police who did get their men & firearm of the streets we are all safer in our workplace and homes.
It’s very vague regarding the firearm , no details at all, unlikely to have been a prohibited weapon as the sentences were only 6 years. Not that the shop employees would have any idea as to whether the gun was real or not and would most likely have been terrified.
There is one in every village, but two in this case.
Scumbags, they were involved in robbery of my house, stealing all my jeweller. Put a side the value & sentimental value, I dont think they realise the damage it causes someone. I’ve always worked hard for the stuff I have brought. Scumbags like this just take what they want. Vile people. Well at least two of them are off the streets. Hope the staff at the bookies are ok.
Armed robbery and only 6 years a piece no wonder they’re laughing out after 3 years
On appeal they will walk in 18 Months.
It is very scary for those that are faced / threatened with an item be it a knife or a a gun whenever real or fake, it could be a bit of wood in a bag , one does not know.
Having family members work in banks or siminiliar the staff are told by their employers to just hand over the cash rather than risk any life.