Couple plotted masked ambush to rob takings from employer

A WIFE and her husband plotted a masked robbery to steal thousands of pounds in takings from her employer.

Georgiana Koroma, 29, worked as a rent collector for Property Investment Portfolio Estate Agents in Anlaby Road, west Hull.

She conspired with her husband Femi Williams, 38, to steal the takings when they were being transported to the bank.

Koroma had only been working at the firm for a month when they plotted to steal from it.

She tipped Williams off on two occasions when manager Laura Wardby, 27, left for the bank.

On the first occasion, on April 17, Williams failed to turn up on time, despite Koroma texting him.

Then on April 17, Koroma sent three text messages to Williams saying "She has it in her hand", "She's leaving" and finally "I cannot believe you missed her, all you had to do was be on time".

Three days later the pair tried again and were successful.

Hull Crown Court heard Williams placed a pair of tights over his head, opened Ms Wardby's car door and wrestled with her in a bid to grab her bag containing the money.

Prosecutor Jharna Jobes said: "As she put her seatbelt on, the driver's door opened and Williams was there wearing a mask.

"At first she thought it was a joke but soon realised it was not. Williams repeatedly said 'give me the bag' and he ran off with it."

When Williams made off with the money, his victim and an 11-year-old boy gave chase but lost him as he hid in a property in Plane Street, west Hull.

Williams conned the homeowners into believing a gang was chasing him and they allowed him to hide, gave him a glass of water and called a taxi for him.

He gave them £20 after he changed his clothes and borrowed a pair of trainers.

Williams and Koroma, who have two young children together, stole £2,187.38 of takings from the company, which has never been recovered.

Williams was arrested on May 8 and his wife was arrested on the same day at work.

The police caught Williams after his DNA was left on the cup of water he had drunk from at the property in Plane Street.

Mrs Jones said: "There were many aggravating features. It was a vulnerable victim who was targeted, it was planned and he was wearing a disguise."

They both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal between April 16 to 21 and Williams pleased guilty to robbery on April 20.

Judge Mark Bury, sitting at Hull Crown Court, has remanded the pair in custody and will sentence them on Friday.

Koroma's barrister John Thackray said: "She couldn't be more remorseful or sorry. There is no excuse, it was a breach of trust. It is no excuse that the defendants were in dire straits financially at the time.

"Many people are in such a position but that's the background."

Williams' barrister Anil Murray said they came up with the "crazy idea" due to their debts.

He said: "They were trying to make ends meet. They were in debt and about to be evicted from their house. She was on probation and told she would be kept on if she got a car. They were desperate for her to keep the job but she had no means of getting a car so they came up with this crazy idea of stealing the money that was headed for the bank.

"It was not planned as a robbery. The defendant thought he could take the money from the car seat. The complainant held on to the bag and he pulled it.

"He is deeply remorseful and would like to apologise to the complainant wholeheartedly.

"He realises she must have been frightened."

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