Knifeman found guilty of armed robberies

On Tuesday November 13, the jury at Luton Crown Court heard how Crawford, 25, disguised himself with a bandana and sunglasses as he stole mobile phones and an iPod while armed with a knife and an imitation firearm.

His youngest victim was 14 years of age.

Crawford had been charged by officers of the South Beds Robbery Unit, with the offences which happened in Parkside Drive on April 2, Sandringham Drive on April 28 and again in Parkside Drive on April 30.

He will return to the same court to be sentenced on December 7.

Speaking after hearing of the guilty verdict, the officer in charge of these investigations, Det Con Rebecca Kitts, said: “This man armed himself with weapons in order to prey on the young and vulnerable. The firearm he used may have been an imitation but it looked realistic and his victims would not have known if it was real or not.

“These offences also shocked the community and raised the public’s fear of violent crime.

“I am pleased with the jury’s decision and I am sure this guilty verdict will be a lesson to those who think they can get away with causing fear in others and using violence and weapons.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated and Bedfordshire Police will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”