Sunderland man threatened to 'chop up' delivery driver in terrifying armed robbery in Cleadon

A delivery driver was threatened he would be "chopped up" with a machete during a terrifying armed robbery.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

William Bogie and Leanne Craggs had followed the delivery van in a car as the worker dropped off newspapers at a shopping area in May 2022.

Newcastle Crown Court heard when the driver pulled up outside a convenience store in Cleadon, the pair put on masks and pounced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The driver was warned by Bogie "**** off before you get chopped up" before he drove off in the van, which was worth £25,000 and contained £3,000 worth of newspapers.

The pair have been dealt with in court.The pair have been dealt with in court.
The pair have been dealt with in court.

Craggs followed behind in the car they arrived in, the court heard

The court heard the van driver was left frightened and needed time off work after the ordeal.

Bogie, 45, of Somerset Cottages, Sunderland, denied robbery, having a bladed article and driving while disqualified but was found guilty by a jury after a trial and has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Craggs, 43, of Villiers Street, Sunderland, admitted robbery on the basis she did not know Bogie was armed and has been jailed for 43 months.

Leanne Craggs.Leanne Craggs.
Leanne Craggs.

Judge Edward Bindloss said there had been significant planning by the pair.

"The two of you sourced masks for this robbery,” he told them.

"You identified the van as high value and followed the driver in his van through villages.

"Craggs, you parked the car and Bogie got out with a machete, produced it and said '**** off before you get chopped up'."

William Bogie.William Bogie.
William Bogie.

The judge said Bogie drove the stolen van to Sunderland and Craggs followed behind in a Nissan Duke.

The van was later recovered by the police.

Judge Bindloss said the victim was frightened and suffered flashbacks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The court heard Bogie did not have stable accommodation at the time, had been using drugs and has a criminal record but nothing for serious violence.

Craggs, who is a mum, has a history of mental health problems.