Jailed: Drug addict and barmaid had role in Telford pub robbery

Russell Greenwood, 25, and his girlfriend Kim Troy, 28, hatched a plan to rob The Talbot, in Dawley, Telford, where Troy worked as a barmaid.

They arranged for Greenwood and his younger accomplice, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to burst into the pub after closing time, brandishing a knife and demanding the takings from landlord Jeff Windsor. In a charade designed to avoid revealing Troy's part in the robbery, the pair, who were both wearing masks made from leggings, threatened her and demanded she hand over the money – with Mr Windsor oblivious to her involvement.

They made off with about £1,000 from the raid, which took place at about 11.30pm on March 21.

Troy had also been responsible for sending a text message to Greenwood to notify him that the pub was emptying.

All three pleaded guilty to robbery and were sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

Greenwood, of Arthur Way, Woodside, Telford, was jailed for 52 months by Recorder Peter Cooke – 48 months for the robbery, and four months for breach of a suspended sentence.

The court had heard he was in the grip of a £200-a-day crack cocaine addiction at the time of the robbery, and had accepted his role in pressuring the 16-year-old and Troy to join in.

Troy, of Woodhouse Lane, Horsehay, who was described as being of previous good character, was sentenced to 32 months' custody.

The juvenile was made the subject of a two-year youth rehabilitation order and told to apologise to Mr Windsor.

The order includes a three-month curfew from 7pm to 7am, 36 hours of community service, and a minimum of 15 hours of education a week.

Recorder Cooke said: "On March 21 this year at about 11.30pm Mr Windsor, the landlord at The Talbot in Dawley, had said goodnight to his customers for the evening and was in place to close up.

"Unbeknown to him a plan had been hatched to rob him of his takings.

"There was an insider, a member of staff who sent a text initiating the strike to happen.

"Two men burst into the premises, one of them producing a knife.

"It was not pointed at Jeff Windsor, it was something of a charade and pointed at the member of staff who was an insider."

He added: "She played along with the charade and the takings were handed over in a bag."

Police discovered the truth when Troy contacted them to confess her involvement.

Recorder Cooke said the offence was made more serious because it had involved a weapon, disguises, and had taken place at night.

Speaking to the Shropshire Star after the incident Mr Windsor had described it as "terrifying" and spoke of his concerns for his staff member – Troy – who ultimately turned out to be in on the crime.