Two men jailed for 24 years for knife point robbery spree

Two men have been jailed today following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary into nine knife point robberies that happened in bookmakers across three counties.

Premises in Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire were targeted by the duo between January 13 and January 27 this year.

At Southampton Crown Court today (June 12) James Frampton, age 30, of Byron Road, Eastleigh was jailed for 12 years and Michael Purkiss, age 55, of Arthur Road, Eastleigh was also given a 12 year prison sentence.

The sentences come after Purkiss and Frampton committed nine robberies over 15 days at the beginning of the year in bookmakers, starting off their spree in Corals in Bitterne Precinct and ending in Corals, Chandlers Ford.

In each case, Frampton entered the betting shops with his face covered and armed with a knife. He would demand money from the staff, threatening them if they did not comply. Armed with the cash he would then jump in his ride outside, being driven Purkiss, who drove him from place to place. The pair stole more than £5000.

In total Frampton threatened 14 members of staff working at shops in Southampton, Romsey, Holbury, Hedge End, Poole and Thatcham.

The car the pair used was a silver VW Polo, registered to Purkiss’s mother.

This was quickly identified and evidence from ANPR cameras was used to place the men in the locations of the robberies at the right time.

Cell site analysis of Purkiss’s phone linked him to the robberies and clothing seized from the pair matched that seen in the CCTV from the premises.

A knife recovered from the robbery at Ladbrokes in Thatcham was a unique Nazi SS Knife which was forensically linked to both men.

Officers arrested the pair in a vehicle on January 31 and charged them with robbery.

Detective Constable Ali Humby from the Western Investigation Team said: “This was a fast-paced investigation that spanned three counties over 15 days. The level of violence threatened and the weapons used by Frampton to scare staff in these premises must have been terrifying. Even though no one was physically injured, experiencing this type of crime has had huge impacts on staff working at these stores.

“I hope the sentences today serve as some closure to those staff members who were subjected to these crimes. I also hope this sends a message to those thinking committing this type of crime is easy to get away with - it isn't. We will catch you, and when we do, you will go to prison for very long time.”