Armed robber convicted
24 January 2007

An armed criminal was found guilty of six violent robberies at off-licences in Blackburn and has been sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment following the activation of an IBP-Group smoke-dye till security pack and expert evidence provided to the police by Neil Chrismas, IBP Marketing Director.

Thomas Moffett, aged 43 years, of Blackburn, committed a series of armed robberies during which he terrified staff while brandishing a nail gun and wearing a balaclava in March and May 2006.

Moffett denied he was responsible for the offences but was convicted of six counts of robbery by a jury following a three-week trial at Preston Crown Court in November 2006.

Neil Chrismas, IBP’s Marketing Director. His expert evidence contributed to the conviction of a violent criminal.

On 24 May, Moffett entered ‘The Local’ off-licence and threatened the female shop assistant who, quick-wittedly put an IBP smoke-dye till pack amongst the money Moffett demanded. As Moffett fled from the shop the security pack activated leaving a plume of bright red smoke as he made his escape.

As a result of the activation, Moffett was arrested a short time later, still wearing his heavily stained clothing.  Following the search of a flat that was connected to Moffett, police found convincing evidence including the nail gun used in the robberies, a balaclava and the remains of the smoke-dye security pack.

Following the arrest, officers from Blackburn CID contacted Neil Chrismas who provided the investigators with all the necessary documentation and a detailed account of the workings of the IBP smoke-dye security pack, resulting in Moffett being charged and kept in custody.

The supervising officer, Detective Inspector Paul Withers, praised Chrismas for providing an “exceptional service” to the investigating officers during the preparation of a lengthy and complicated case file, which ultimately helped convict a violent criminal who had traumatised several innocent victims.

In thanking him, DI Withers said: “The service provided by Neil Chrismas was exemplary.” The officer also applauded the shop assistant who placed the security pack in the money handed to Moffett.

Moffett appeared at Preston Crown Court on 19 December and was sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment, thanks in part to the activation of an IBP smoke-dye security pack and the expert help of Neil Chrismas.

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