Man and woman sentenced in connection with robbery in Aylesbury

A man and a woman have been sentenced in connection with a robbery in Aylesbury.

Jake Gilfillan, aged 19, of no fixed abode, was jailed for four years and six months at Aylesbury Crown Court on Thursday (20/4).

Meanwhile, Rebecca Barlow, aged 26, previously of St Edmunds Close, Aylesbury, was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. She was also placed on a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and will have to wear a tag for six months.

Gilfillan pleaded guilty to one count of robbery, one count of Section 18 wounding and one count of possession of a bladed article.

Barlow pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an article with a blade or a point.

On the evening of 8 November last year, Gilfillan was with Barlow when he confronted a 16-year-old boy and girl in an alleyway leading to St Edmunds Close.

Gilfillan took the boy’s electric scooter. He then told Barlow to get a knife. When Barlow returned with the knife, Gilfillan cut the boy’s forearm, causing a laceration.

Thames Valley Police arrested Gilfillan and Barlow the following day and they were charged with the offences on 10 November.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Sarah Spain, of the Priority Crime Team in Aylesbury, said: “Thames Valley Police’s officers and staff are working tirelessly with partners, including our communities, to tackle knife crime. 

“It is important that the public helps us in our fight against knife crime by reporting to us anything which is of concern to them. If you are worried that someone you know is using violence or is carrying a knife, please report it.

“You can make a report by going to our website or calling 101, or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

“Thames Valley Police has a broad range of visible tactics it will employ to tackle knife crime, such us the use of stop and search, Section 60s, intelligence-led patrols, executing warrants, knife arches, knife wands, knife bins, test purchase operations and CCTV. However, there are also many security measures that you can’t see. 

“Knife crime is never acceptable and I hope the sentence passed by the court to Jake Gilfillan and Rebecca Barlow serves as a deterrent to others.”