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Dover mum-of-two jailed after knifepoint robbery in Thanet

11:00, 27 April 2016

updated: 11:19, 27 April 2016

A female robber, who sports a tattoo on her chest which reads “Only God Can Judge Me”, has been sent to prison.

Hayley Smith, who appeared by video link from a room at HMP Bronzefield, was reprimanded on several occasions for talking during her sentencing.

The 28-year-old, from Folkestone Road, Dover, argued with the prosecution claim that she had known her partner in crime, Daniel Boxall, had a knife during the robbery.

Smith was jailed for two and a half years
Smith was jailed for two and a half years

And eventually Judge Heather Norton decided that despite her protestations the mum-of-two did know…and jailed her for two and a half years.

Prosecutor Don Ramble told Canterbury Crown Court how in June last year she was on a train heading towards Margate when she tried to snatch a handbag.

The victim managed to hold on and Smith fled the train in Broadstairs but then joined up with Boxall to carry out a knifepoint robbery.

The court heard how they confronted two people near a petrol station demanding they hand over a mobile phone.

“Ms Smith please...you are not helping yourself. Please stay quiet and be patient!” Judge Heather Norton

After walking away, Smith threw the phone back saying it was rubbish.

Smith, who admitted attempted theft and robbery, was heard to say to the victims that Boxall “has a knife” – but she interrupted the prosecutor claiming she didn’t know about the weapon.

The judge told the tattooed mum-of-two: “Ms Smith please...you are not helping yourself. Please stay quiet and be patient!”

Boxall was jailed for three years at another hearing after admitting the robbery and possessing an offensive weapon.

Nick Jones, for Smith, said she has had a difficult life with “ a background of domestic violence and harassment over an extended period.

Judge Heather Norton is presiding over the case
Judge Heather Norton is presiding over the case

“She has had a long-standing problem with heroin and formed a problematic relationship with Boxall.”

The judge told her that despite her denials she believed Smith knew her partner had, and brandished, the knife during the robbery.

“I have heard what you have said over the CCTV link about the knife...but that is not what the evidence before the court is. You and Boxall were in this robbery together.”

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