University student wanted for a string of armed robberies

9:00am Tuesday 5th August 2008

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By James Connell »

A WORCESTER university student whose arrest in the US led to a bomb scare at the campus is wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies in the city.

Stephen Jackley, aged 22, who lived on campus at Henwick Road, Worcester, is suspected of five offences in the Worcester area, including robbery and burglary.

West Mercia police now want to extradite him from the US, where he has already admitted separate firearms charges.

The alleged offences in Worcester are: l Armed robbery at William Hill bookmakers, St John’s, on October 21 last year. A masked man threatened staff with a gun and a knife.

l Armed robbery at Corals bookmakers, Trinity Street on December 2 last year. The robber was pushed to the floor by a customer but escaped with cash.

l Burglary at the NSPCC shop, Broad Street, between December 12 and 13 last year.

l Burglary at Barclays Bank, Malvern Road, St John’s, on November29 last year.

l Armed robbery at Barclays Bank, Malvern Road, St John’s, on Wednesday, March 5.

More than 25 police officers raced to the scene after a man brandishing a gun made off with money. One woman had to be taken to hospital suffering from shock He is also suspected of an attempted robbery at the High Street branch of HSBC in Ledbury on Tuesday, March 4, where the armed robber is believed to have worn a wig.

Two members of staff were taken to hospital suffering from shock.

Other police forces in Devon and the Netherlands are investigating Jackley in connection with investigations into similar offences.

Det Sgt Jim Fox said South Worcestershire CID was leading the joint investigation and would be seeking Jackley’s extradition. When extradition would begin depends on the prison sentence imposed in the US in October.

Jackley – originally from Sidmouth, Devon, but resident at the Henwick Road campus – has admitted attempting to buy the firearm from a gun store in Waterbury, Washington County, Vermont, USA, using a fake identity on Monday, June 16.

He has been in custody since his arrest following a motoring incident.

When Jackley was arrested, detectives in the US contacted West Mercia police asking them to search his room at St John’s campus.

The Wyvern halls of residence where Mr Jackley lived and the Bredon office block had to be evacuated on Thursday, May 22.

Children in a creche were also moved to the main building and some final exams were cancelled.