Violent robberies spree ends as pair are jailed

6:27am Saturday 17th May 2008

Two of the most wanted men in Yorkshire were today starting lengthy jail terms after a string of violent robberies.

The pair, Almas Ullah, 20, and Jonathan Macdonald, 18, were captured by armed police at a Bradford house after they had carried out almost 100 terrifying raids.

They included terrorising staff at two Bradford filling stations, using a Samurai sword, knives and a golf club.

Cashier Duncan Phulsa was struck in the face with the club during an armed raid on the Esso service station in Rooley Lane, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Graphic CCTV images were shown in court of blood dripping from Mr Phulsa's head after he was attacked.

Both men were armed with knives when they struck days later at the Tesco petrol station in Great Horton Road.

Ullah and Macdonald pleaded guilty to three robberies.

Ullah admitted an attempted robbery and both men asked the court to take into consideration 98 further offences, including ten more robberies.

Ullah, of Southfield Lane, Great Horton, and Macdonald, of Middleton, Leeds, were living in a bail hostel in Wakefield during their crime spree.

Each was locked up indefinitely by the Honorary Recorder of Bradford Judge Stephen Gullick.

"The public needs protecting from the pair of you for a considerable period of time," the judge said.

Ullah will spend a minimum of five years 274 days behind bars. MacDonald must serve a minimum of four years and 200 days.

The judge said it was then up to the Parole Board to decide if they could be considered for release.

Judge Gullick warned the courts would do all in their power to protect staff who provided a public service at filling stations, bookmakers and small shops.

After the case, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Hopwood said: "Ullah and Macdonald were two of West Yorkshire Police's most wanted criminals. They were responsible for a crime spree across Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield including armed robberies on shops, petrol stations and taxi drivers.

"Detective Constable Jason Raine and Detective Constable Ray Copeland, of Bradford South CID, identified a pattern emerging and pulled individual investigations together.

"This led to the identification, arrest and conviction of the two men responsible for these crimes.

"We are delighted with the sentences and hope it offers some closure to their victims."

Ullah and Macdonald admitted robbing the Esso garage on October 28 last year and the Tesco filling station on November 8.

They also pleaded guilty to being part of a four-strong gang that robbed Tote Sport bookmakers in Wakefield on October 16.

The court heard the gang threatened to shoot the manager before getting away with £2,000 from the safe. Ullah carried a hammer on the pre-planned raid.

Ullah admitted attempting to rob Jason Coates of his £14,000 Toyota car in Shelf on May 19 last year.

The court saw film of Mr Coates punching and pushing the pair down his driveway. Ullah tried to start the Toyota while the second man, who has not been identified, seized a crowbar and threatened to kill Mr Coates.

Prosecutor Duncan Ritchie said Ullah armed himself with a golf club and Macdonald with a Samurai sword for the Esso garage robbery.

Wearing black clothing and hoods, they burst into the filling station at 9.20pm when Mr Phulsa and two customers were in the shop.

The pair brandished the weapons and demanded cash as Mr Phulsa cowered in the corner with his hands up, Mr Ritchie said.

Ullah filled a bag with cigarettes while Macdonald was outside, waving the sword and shouting at the top of his voice. He lunged the weapon at a man who drove off in fear.

Ullah hit Mr Phulsa in the face with the golf club, knocking out his tooth and cracking another. He needed three stitches to a head wound and was in hospital two days for neurological observation.

Eleven days later the pair armed themselves with knives and raided into the Tesco filling station shop.

Ullah leapt the counter and threatened cashier Angela Smith. Ullah snatched the phone from her as she tried to call for help. Macdonald stood by the door shouting "stab her".

Staff member Rashid Choudhray bravely grappled with Ullah, who had a kitchen knife. Both raiders fled clutching the till.

They were arrested in a house in Bradford on November 30 in an operation involving armed police.

Ullah told officers: "I'm not apologising for being bad. It is obviously in my blood."

Mr Ritchie said both defendants admitted 98 further offences as part of the police "clean slate" policy.

Macdonald's involved £107,000 of stolen property, £16,000 damage and £51,000 worth of vehicles taken and recovered.

Ullah's toll was £76,000 of property taken, £16,000 damage and £55,000 worth of vehicles taken and recovered.

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