Robbery Specialist Solicitors

Are you in need of a robbery specialist solicitor?

If you’re found guilty of this serious and wide-ranging offence, the maximum sentence can be life imprisonment. At Lawtons, we have a team of specialist solicitors who are experienced in all cases of robbery.

If you’re facing a robbery charge and want expert legal advice, then it’s crucial that you contact Lawtons today on 0333 577 0522, for legal assistance that can help to ensure the best possible outcome in your case.

What is robbery under UK law?

An offence under the Theft Act 1968, the criminal act of robbery means a theft using force – or a threat to use force with the intention to steal.

To be successfully prosecuted as robbery, any element of force must be shown to be associated with the theft.

Many offences can be classed as robbery, including:

  • Street robberies
  • Muggings
  • Commercial robberies
  • Vehicle theft
  • Carjacking
  • Bank robberies

Although there is no such offence as armed robbery in the UK, it’s a term used to describe a robbery which involves the use of a weapon such as a firearm or knife.

Armed robbery 

Committing a robbery while armed with an offensive weapon can lead to you being charged with various offences. If the crime involves trespassing on a residential or commercial property, it will likely fall under the offence of burglary.

Other offences that might apply include:

  • Assault with intent to rob
  • Possession of an offensive weapon
  • Threatening with an offensive weapon in a public place
  • Assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)
  • Wounding/causing Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
  • Possession of an offensive weapon
  • Possession of a firearm
  • Possession of a firearm or ammunition with intent to endanger life
  • Possession of a firearm or imitation with intent to cause fear of violence

What is the maximum sentence for robbery?

The maximum sentence for robbery in the UK is life imprisonment, however the court will consider a number of options before the appropriate sentence is decided. The court will also consider whether the offender should be classified as a ‘dangerous’ person.

Robbery is an indictable-only offence and as such can only be heard in the Crown Court in front of a judge and jury.

If the offender is a youth, the offence can be heard in the youth court. However, if the court decides that the case is grave and serious enough then it will be sent to the Crown Court. This will only happen if the youth court perceives a real risk that a custodial sentence of youth detention longer than two years is necessary as a punishment.

What are the different levels of sentencing for armed robbery?

A Crown Court judge will use three levels of severity when deciding upon a sentence for robbery:

  • Level one – robbery using minimal force
  • Level two – robbery using a weapon
  • Level three – robbery using a weapon with considerable force which causes injury

So how long do you get for armed robbery in the UK? Well the court will also consider certain factors which, if present in the robbery, will increase the severity of the sentence:

  • If the victim was vulnerable
  • If a number of people were involved
  • If the defendant was the primary leader in the robbery
  • If high value items were stolen
  • If the offence took place at night
  • If the defendant was wearing a disguise

Factors which reduce the severity of the offence will also be taken into consideration, including:

  • Whether the offence was opportunistic
  • Whether the defendant had a minor involvement in the offence
  • If any property stolen was voluntarily returned

With the typical armed robbery sentence in the UK dependent upon various factors, you’ll need expert legal counsel to guide you through the implications of a guilty verdict.

What should you do if you are accused of robbery?

If you are accused of robbery it is crucial that you seek urgent specialist legal advice as soon as you are able to do so. This is a complex area of the law with severe associated penalties, so expert representation is essential, particularly prior to a police interview or if the case is going to court.

For more information or to discuss an individual case with our team of specialist solicitors, please get in touch today or call us on 0333 577 0522.

Why choose Lawtons as your robbery solicitors?

We’re specialists in providing legal advice on robbery cases, having defended many clients against robbery charges. We concentrate on criminal cases, where our expertise lies, rather than trying to expand into other areas of the law.

Our reputation for excellence has seen us independently recognised as a leading criminal law firm by both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

If you’re facing charges related to armed robbery, you should have expert legal representation from the very beginning, so get in touch today or call us on 0333 577 0522.

How can our robbery solicitors help defend your case?

Our team of specialist armed robbery lawyers will work tirelessly to identify the best way of defending you, looking for flaws in the case against you – to reduce the severity of the charges, or have them dropped entirely.

If you weren’t involved in the robbery at all, our defence will focus on proving that, using evidence such as CCTV footage, witness testimony, phone records, DNA samples and other relevant evidence.

If you admit involvement, you might see that events happened in a different manner to that put forward by the police and the prosecution. Perhaps they maintain that you threatened to kill somebody in the course of the robbery, yet they have to prove that beyond reasonable doubt. Circumstances like these are where experienced criminal defence solicitors can be invaluable.

FAQs about Robbery

What is the difference between theft, robbery and burglary?

Theft refers simply to the unlawful taking of property belonging to another individual, and burglary refers to unlawful entry into a property, often with the intention of committing theft or robbery. What differentiates robbery from these two offences is the use of threat or force.

What is the sentence for armed robbery in the UK?

Armed robbery will be charged with a more severe sentence than robbery without a weapon. The maximum possible sentence is life imprisonment but this depends on a number of factors.