A bank manager, who helped organise an elaborate 'inside job' armed robbery at her own branch, has been jailed after thieves made off with £100,000 in cash.

Christabelle Amoah, 28, deliberately timed putting out rubbish at the Halifax bank in Majestic Way, Mitcham, on Friday July 16, 2010, so that two men armed with handguns could force their way in through the rear door.

Wayne Sefaah, 27, and Lee Palmer, 33, of Longlands Avenue in Coulsdon, were disguised as workmen and threatened bank workers and terrified customers by forcing them to lie on the ground while a member of bank staff was threatened and told to open the door to the counter and safe area.

Sefaah and Palmer grabbed £100,000 in cash from the safe, stuffing it into sports holdalls before making their getaway in a van parked outside, driven by 23-year-old Jeffrey Amoah of Bramble Close in Croydon.

Kingston Crown Court heard this morning how Daisy Owusu-Henewah, 30, and Kevin Sefaah, 25, of Gorse Road in Croydon, were also involved in planning the robbery.

All six had previously denied any involvement in the crime, but their plot was uncovered by Flying Squad Officers from the Metropolitan Police who had to piece together evidence linking the group together.

  • Christabelle Amoah was jailed for 12 years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.
  • Wayne Sefaah was jailed 15 years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm. He also received 12 months for a separate theft offence.
  • Lee Palmer was jailed for 15 years conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm. He also received 12 months for possession with intent to supply drugs.
  • Jeffrey Amoah was jailed for 13 years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.
  • Daisy Owusu-Henewah was jailed for eight years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.
  • Kevin Sefaah was jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to rob and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm.

Detective Constable Stuart Crawford, from the Flying Squad, said: "It took a lot of hard work from Flying Squad officers to unravel what was a very planned bank robbery that involved disguises, synchronized movements and false identities.

"The sight of two men waving handguns making threats must have been terrifying for all those people present in the branch that day going about their daily business.

"I would like to take this opportunity to praise their bravery in coming forward to give evidence.

"The Flying Squad and Metropolitan police will relentlessly pursue all those involved in such crimes and bring them to justice.

"The sentences issued today sends out a clear message of the severity of the offences committed and I hope these will serve as a warning."