The use of forensic evidence provided by SmartWater Technology played a pivotal role in the prosecution of one of the gang leaders, Kabba Kamara.
As the investigation unfolded officers discovered Kamara, along with fellow gang leader Dennis Fontenot, belonged to a criminal network from Liverpool responsible for a number of attacks carried out between 2005 and 2010 across the North of England and Wales.
The gang members were stopped in their tracks after being involved in a high-speed smash following a robbery on a Sunwin Services Cash-in-Transit courier outside a Co-Operative store on the Wirral.
The three armed men challenged a security team as they replenished an ATM machine outside of the Co-Op store. Kamara, who wielded an axe during the robbery, and the two other men stole two cash boxes during the raid, one containing GB pound 10,000 and another GB pound 35,000.
Stolen vehicles used by the gang
The gang made off in a stolen Nissan Quasqai which they later swapped for a stolen BMW 5 Series vehicle.
However, as they made their getaway they became stuck in traffic and were tracked down by police. They eventually crashed into another car, leading to the apprehension of Kamara, while his accomplices Barry Dillion and Paul Jones were arrested in nearby streets after fleeing the scene.
Kamara had attempted to open one of the stolen cashboxes while in the getaway vehicle, resulting in traces of SmartWater being found on his gloves and trainers at the time of his arrest. This evidence was used by prosecutors to forensically link him to the crime.
During the trial, Newcastle Crown Court heard details of several other robberies involving Kamara, including a GB pound 20,000 cashbox raid at a Liverpool petrol station.
SmartWater evidence presented in Court
SmartWater evidence was again presented at Newcastle Crown Court after traces of the forensic liquid from the cashbox were recovered from a stolen Vauxhall Signum used as the gang’s getaway car.
The vehicle also contained a cigarette butt with Kamara’s DNA on it. He was today handed down a 20-year extended sentence to include 14 years in custody.
Dennis Fontenot, 37, and 30-year-old Barry Dillon were both jailed for six years after pleading guilty to robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery respectively.
Paul Jones, 35, pleaded guilty to robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and aggravated vehicle taking. He was given an 18-year extended sentence to include 12 years in custody.
Justice has been done
Detective Sergeant Heather Kelly from Merseyside Police said: “These are ruthless people who committed a number of violent robberies in Merseyside and other areas. I’m delighted that justice has been done, and that these dangerous people are behind bars.”
Detective chief inspector Steve Binks, who led the investigation in the north east, commented: “This was a complex investigation that has successfully put these dangerous men behind bars. I would like to thank all the witnesses who have supported this investigation and the team of detectives and staff who have worked tirelessly to unravel the conspiracy.”
