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Fugitive 'Skull Cracker' admits raid Fugitive 'Skull Cracker' jailed for life
(about 1 hour later)
A man nicknamed the "Skull Cracker" after a string of robberies has admitted three new offences while he was on the run from an open prison. An armed robber nicknamed the "Skull Cracker" has been jailed for life for raiding a Surrey building society while on the run from an open prison.
Michael Wheatley, 55, pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court to the charges including a £18,350 robbery at a Surrey building society. Michael Wheatley, 55, pleaded guilty to the £18,350 raid at Chelsea Building Society in Sunbury on 7 May.
He was also charged with possessing a firearm and being unlawfully at large. He also admitted possessing a firearm and being unlawfully at large.
Wheatley was arrested in Tower Hamlets, east London, after the raid on Chelsea Building Society in Sunbury on 7 May. Judge Christopher Critchlow at Guildford Crown Court ordered him to serve a minimum of 10 years. Wheatley appeared via video link from prison.
He appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison.
Blunt weapon
He was serving a life sentence at Standford Hill prison on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, when he was granted day release and failed to return on 3 May.He was serving a life sentence at Standford Hill prison on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, when he was granted day release and failed to return on 3 May.
Wheatley, who was on the run for five days, was given 13 life sentences in 2002 for raids on banks and building societies. He was arrested in Tower Hamlets, east London, after being on the run for five days following the Sunbury raid.
Blunt weapon
In 2002 he was given 13 life sentences for raids on banks and building societies.
He earned his nickname for using an imitation handgun as a blunt weapon to hit people - including a 73-year-old woman - during his robberies.He earned his nickname for using an imitation handgun as a blunt weapon to hit people - including a 73-year-old woman - during his robberies.
He had gone on the run twice in the past and each time staged a series of violent robberies before being caught and re-jailed.He had gone on the run twice in the past and each time staged a series of violent robberies before being caught and re-jailed.
Full review
His failure to return to Standford Hill sparked a storm of protest.His failure to return to Standford Hill sparked a storm of protest.
Full review
Conservative backbencher Philip Davies, MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire, said whoever had allowed him out of prison was "a berk"Conservative backbencher Philip Davies, MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire, said whoever had allowed him out of prison was "a berk"
Prisons minister Jeremy Wright later said there would be a full review of the release on temporary licence process.Prisons minister Jeremy Wright later said there would be a full review of the release on temporary licence process.
Lionel Blackman, defending Wheatley, asked Judge Christopher Critchlow, the Recorder of Guildford, to pass sentence later once CCTV footage of the robbery was obtained.
Kevin Perry, 53, of West India Dock Road, east London, also appeared via video link from Highpoint Prison charged with assisting an offender, perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.Kevin Perry, 53, of West India Dock Road, east London, also appeared via video link from Highpoint Prison charged with assisting an offender, perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.
Mr Perry did not enter any pleas and was remanded in custody until July 18.Mr Perry did not enter any pleas and was remanded in custody until July 18.