Serial robber Tom Harris, who held up Hornchurch bookies, jailed

A serial robber, who held up a bookies in Hornchurch, has been jailed.

Tom Harris, 27, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment today.

He pleaded guilty to three robberies in east London, including one in April last year, at Blenheim Racing, in Northolt Way.

Harris intimated to staff at the Hornchurch bookies that he had a gun in a black plastic bag during the hold-up, before making off with a bag of notes and change. Harris pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an imitation firearm at another robbery.

William Mosson, who acted as Harris’ look-out during one hold-up, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail on Wednesday of last week.

Harris and Mosson, 41, of Woodland Road, Enfield, were initially identified from CCTV and Mosson was arrested in July at his home by the Flying Squad.

Harris was found in August after being arrested in the West Midlands over a domestic incident.

A black plastic bag, recovered from the scene at Blenheim Racing, was found to have Harris’ fingerprints on it.

Harris denied his crimes but was identified in ID parades by the victims from the three robberies and was subsequently charged.