A Northumberland man has been sentenced for his role in a staged robbery that saw more than £50,000 stolen from a Newcastle post office. Lee Stevens, 38, of Seaton Avenue, Bedlington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft and other offences at Newcastle Crown Court.
Staged robbery at Westgate Hill Post Office
The court heard how Stevens and the postmistress at Westgate Hill Post Office, where she worked, hatched a plan to pretend there had been a robbery. John Crawford, prosecuting, said the woman was found shouting 'help' and claimed she had been tied up with cable ties, robbed and dumped in the cellar. The total amount taken from the premises was £52,000, and Stevens received half of it.
Mr Crawford said police concluded that her claims were not true. Messages had been exchanged between Stevens and the woman in the days leading up to the incident on August 18, 2023. They had chatted about meeting up and how they needed to "get this done". The prosecutor told the court: "(The woman) was due to stand trial but sadly passed away prior to that trial taking place."
High-speed pursuit and further offences
Less than four months later, Stevens failed to stop the vehicle he was driving for a police officer on the Coast Road, leading to a high-speed pursuit. Stevens drove 70mph in a 40mph zone, 80mph in a 50mph zone and 60mph in a 30mph zone. He went through red lights and went straight over a give way junction in Wallsend before driving 130mph on the Coast Road. He was caught with the use of a police helicopter and was found to be twice over the drink drive limit.
The court heard how Stevens spent two years on remand in custody before being released on bail. In February this year, he went into a convenience store to buy alcohol and left a bullet behind. A car was stopped and ammunition was found. The court heard how the bullet required a certificate.
Stevens pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft, dangerous driving, taking without consent, driving without a licence and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He also admitted having an offensive weapon, possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate and possessing a firearm while prohibited.
Sentencing and background
The court heard how Stevens got involved in the staged robbery due to his addiction to drugs and his need to pay off a debt. Rachel Hedworth, defending, said: "He describes things going very wrong and the route of his problems being alcohol. He's misused substances only when he's been drinking but drinking has effectively been the main problem. He's completely stopped drinking. He has developed stomach ulcers, they are incredibly painful."
Ms Hedworth told Judge Robert Spragg that the dad-of-two, who is a trained mechanic, had been in custody for almost a five years and four month sentence and had effectively served his time. She said: "He's got glowing references from the prison. Since he's been out of custody he's been with his partner who's very supportive. She's pregnant with their first child. He's not got into any further trouble. He's done everything he possibly could when in custody. When he's not at work he spends his time with his partner. They now live in Blyth. They spend their time on the beach walking their dog. He describes living a normal life."
Judge Spragg sentenced Stevens to three years and six months behind bars. He also banned him from driving for three years. The judge told him that the time he had served in custody on remand, and on a curfew, would count towards his sentence. He said: "I anticipate you will have served your sentence."
