Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, two men have been jailed and a boy given a youth rehabilitation order for robbery and other offences in Amersham and Chesham Bois.
Connor McVay, 32, of Kidderminster Road in Croydon and Aaron Birbeck, 27, of no fixed abode, were sentenced to prison at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday, April 3, following their convictions.
A 16-year-old boy was given the youth rehabilitation order at the same hearing.
McVay was found guilty following a three-week trial to two counts of robbery, one count of dangerous driving and one count of theft of a motor vehicle. The trial concluded on September 12, 2024.
Birbeck had earlier pleaded guilty on May 31, 2024 to two counts of robbery, one count of possession of a bladed article, one count of possession of an offensive weapon and one count of grievous bodily harm.
In a separate hearing on Thursday, February 13 this year, the 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery.
Appearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday, Birbeck was sentenced to a total of 11 years’ imprisonment and McVay eight years’ imprisonment.
McVay was also disqualified from driving for 88 months and must pass an extended test to regain his licence.
The boy was sentenced to a two year Youth Rehabilitation Order.
On February 21, 2024, Birbeck and the boy entered Ivy Stores in Amersham.
McVay waited outside in a car.
Birbeck produced a machete and threatened the storekeeper, a woman aged in her thirties, with the blade before stealing money from the till.
The boy stole cigarettes, alcohol and vapes.
A day later, on February 22 2024, the Birbeck and the boy entered the Londis in Chesham Bois, while, again, McVay waited outside in a car.
Birbeck produced an axe, which he used to smash the till.
He shouted at the shopkeeper, a man aged in his thirties, to open the till, before he hit him over the head with the blunt side of the axe, causing significant and life-changing injuries to the victim, including a fractured skull.
On February 29, 2024, the three offenders were engaged in a pursuit with officers from Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit in Iver.
The pursuit covered multiple counties and involved numerous officers, before the vehicle was stopped with the use of a stop-stick in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
All three were arrested with the help of officers from Hertfordshire Police.
They were charged with the offences on March 1, 2024.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Conor Cormican of the Buckinghamshire Priority Crime Team said: “These robberies were horrific and sustained acts of violence towards people just doing their jobs.
“These convictions and sentences show that Thames Valley Police will not tolerate serious violence and will always advocate for the longest possible sentences for offenders of this nature.
“McVay and Birbeck will now serve substantial prison sentences as a result of these offences, while the boy will be subject to a two year rehabilitation order.
“I hope that these convictions will go so way to providing some solace for the victims of these offences and reassure the community that we will tirelessly pursue such violent offenders and put them before the courts.”
Photo: Google Maps
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