Robbers appeal for sentence cut after robbing man in his car
TWO Thelma and Louise-style female robbers jailed for a total of eight-and-a-half years after holding up a man driving his car have complained about the length of their prison terms.
Tracy Cutting and Donna Fitzakerley, pictured from left, took their cases to the Court of Appeal yesterday to try to win a cut in their prison sentences.
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Cutting had claimed her five-year jail term was too long when considering sentencing guidelines.
But judges threw out Cutting's appeal because of her extensive criminal record, which includes 45 previous convictions for theft, eight for robbery and eight for assaulting police officers.
The judges also argued that 32-year-old Cutting, of Weston Road, Meir, had played the leading role in the robbery.
Fitzakerley, of Exeter Street, Stafford, argued that her three-and-a-half year prison term was too harsh, because she played just a minor role in the robbery.
That argument was backed by the judges who cut six months off the original jail term.
Announcing his ruling, Mr Justice Blair said: "There is reason for a reduction in view of her lesser role and the progress she has made since conviction.
"We quash the sentence of three-and-a-half years and substitute one of three years and, to that extent, this appeal is allowed."
The two women were jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court last August after Judge Simon Tonking heard how they had targeted 24-year-old Matthew Bromley in his car in Meir in February, 2010.
After getting in the car, the women asked to be driven to Dresden before saying they needed to go to Ball Green and once there Cutting threatened to stab her victim and then punched him several times to the face.
Banned driver Fitzakerley then got behind the wheel and drove to Biddulph with Mr Bromley as a passenger so they could withdraw cash.
Cutting threatened to stab Mr Bromley if he did not tell her his pin number and £200 was withdrawn.
The court heard Cutting then rang for a taxi and the women got out in Barber Road, Chell.
But the robbers were later caught after they used their real names when talking to Mr Bromley.
Cutting, who has 128 previous convictions, admitted robbery.
Former social worker Fitzakerley admitted robbery as well as banned driving and driving without insurance. The 42-year-old was also handed a three-year driving ban.
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by E_D_Wivens
Monday, February 06 2012, 8:25PM
“Interwebs. How do I know a single world is true? Pics, or it didn't happen, as they say in another place.
I don't like social workers, that's all. Not one bit. Interfering left-wing Guardian-reading busybodies who destroy families and should stay out of other peoples' business. About as much use as a chocolate fireguard on a summer's day. Intellectual failures one and all.
Awww she's seen dead bodies. Join the club, I've seen hundreds, men on fire on burning sinking ships screaming to get out, charred lumps of flesh and bone that were still clinging to life, rotten decaying bits of meat only vaguely resembling a human that I've pulled from the sea. Traumatised kids? I was one; I lived. Medals? Here, have mine if you like them so much, I've got several that are no use to me whatsoever; they won't bring back the mates I lost.
The only line she wrote that meant anything at all to me was this; "And as for not having a sense of humour. I'm answering you arn't I." which I found quite amusing, and shows she has a bit of spirit at least. I like it when people fight back. Maybe she's not such a drip after all.”
by Wozzer101
Monday, February 06 2012, 9:40AM
“Nice one Ausiegirl.
Come on Wivens, put up or shut up. I like you man, just stop the personal attacks, you just get called out.”
by ausiegirl
Monday, February 06 2012, 2:42AM
“E_D_Wivens
mmmmm.... Happles social worker am I. Let me see. I've worked in Disaster Victim Identification for the past twelve years. I worked on both Bali bombings, the Indonesian Tsunami, various train crashes, plane crashes, boat sinkings. I work with extremely traumatized people. I collect the DNA samples. I look at the mangled bodies. I explain what they look like to the nearest and dearest and evenualy I give them the death message.
I work with traumatized children and help them come to terms with a parents death or in some cases the murder suicide of both parents and the occational sibling.
I go to the homicide scene and speak with the family, I go to hostage situation and have on one occation had to step over two dead bodies to speak with the family.
I've lectured around the world on the traumatic affect of major disaters and I've been awarded comendations from the state and federal governments for my work with young people in disaster areas.
Let me see, I'm a happless social worker. Still thinking on that, so while I do, how about you tell me exactly what you contribute to society.
And as for not having a sense of humour. I'm answering you arn't I.”
by E_D_Wivens
Sunday, February 05 2012, 10:22AM
“ausiegirl said: "I'm a social worker"
No, really? You do surprise me.
There's a R4 comedy show called "Clare in the Community" about a hapless social worker who has all the lingo but none of the answers, I actually thought you were channelling that with a perverse Aussie sense of ironic humour until I realised that you were being serious.”
by ausiegirl
Saturday, February 04 2012, 8:26AM
“I'm a social worker. Are the qualifications different over there than here in OZ? Don't think I'm up to scratch, couldn't punch anybody. Maybe I need more training.”
by pattsey
Thursday, February 02 2012, 10:47AM
“It should have been ten years minimum.
nikki4444 those were exactly my thoughts when I read one was a social worker. No wonder this country is in the mess it is. I still can't believe it.”
by nikki4444
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 10:50PM
“"Former social worker Fitzakerley" !!!!
really.....is this correct????
does one need a degree to become a social worker????
education - what a waste...”
by E_D_Wivens
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 2:54PM
“fiat128 said:
"If you can only comment someone's physical appearance, then you are not really contributing to any intelligent discussion on this article. Low life they may be, but pointing out their lack of appeal to the opposite sex does not really add to what is an appropriate punishment."
Yep, totally; we're having a good laugh at the expense of a couple of bumbling lowlifes. And what's wrong with that, pray? In earlier times we could have put them in the stocks and thrown rotten fruit and veg at them. Now, that would be fun.”
by Wozzer101
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 6:27AM
“Deadly SCFC, the Rotty would be better looking.”
by bryanseenior
Monday, January 30 2012, 11:40PM
“Bag heads ,drugs for you that is ,what a **** life on the gear how **** ,miss uk them im so sure”