Police release pictures of the "Honey-trap" robbers who targeted students a cash machines

Three ruthless robbers have been jailed after they deployed a “honey-trap” upon two boozed-up students while they used cash machines in Sheffield city centre.

By Jon Cooper

Published 13th Oct 2020, 12:30 BST

Updated 14th Oct 2020, 13:02 BST

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Sheffield Crown Court heard on October 12 how Rebecca Kerrigan, aged 32, of Wordsworth Drive, Sheffield, was involved in both robberies and Lupin Ntungi, aged 41, of Spotswood Mount, Gleadless, Sheffield, joined Kerrigan in the first robbery, and Garfield Nelson, aged 59, of Deer Park Road, Sheffield, joined her in the second.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, The Recorder of Sheffield, told the court “honey-trap” robberies were perpetrated upon vulnerable individuals.

He added: “The robberies were plainly planned. Vulnerable individuals who were inebriated were targeted. Miss Kerrigan would befriend those individuals. They would then be, in one way or another, forced towards a cash point.”

Pictured is Rebecca Kerrigan, aged 32, of Wordsworth Drive, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to two counts of handling stolen goods, two counts of fraud, and two counts of robbery and a theft. She was sentenced to four years and four months of custody.

Pictured is Rebecca Kerrigan, aged 32, of Wordsworth Drive, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to two counts of handling stolen goods, two counts of fraud, and two counts of robbery and a theft. She was sentenced to four years and four months of custody.

He added Ntungi had been waiting nearby during the first robbery and Nelson had been waiting nearby during the second to step-in as they stole cash and belongings.

Zaiban Alam, prosecuting, said a student who had been drinking was approached by Kerrigan in September near Division Street and after the complainant withdrew money from a cash machine the student struggled to stop Kerrigan stealing his wallet and cash.

Ntungi intervened, according to Ms Alam, and prevented the complainant getting to Kerrigan and he pushed him over and the student had a phone, jewellery, a wallet, and bank cards stolen.

The court heard there were subsequent cash withdrawals including £1,700 from a stolen Nat West card and £800 from a stolen Santander card linked to Kerrigan.

Pictured is Lupin Ntungi, aged 41, of Spotswood Mount, Gleadless, Sheffield, who pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. He was sentenced to two years of custody.

Pictured is Lupin Ntungi, aged 41, of Spotswood Mount, Gleadless, Sheffield, who pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. He was sentenced to two years of custody.

Ms Alam added a second robbery took place involving Kerrigan and Nelson in October after a student had been out drinking and he was approached by Kerrigan on West Street.

Kerrigan was friendly, according to Ms Alam, but as this complainant tried to withdraw money from a cash machine, she pressed the £100 button and grabbed the cash as she followed him on Cavendish Street.

Ms Alam said a different offender suddenly got involved and attacked this student before Nelson also got involved and the complainant had jewelley stolen and his £100 taken.

Kerrigan pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and admitted one count of handling stolen goods and one of fraud.

Pictured is Garfield Nelson, aged 59, of Deer Park Road, Sheffield, who pleaded guilty to robbery. He was sentenced to two-years of custody.

Pictured is Garfield Nelson, aged 59, of Deer Park Road, Sheffield, who pleaded guilty to robbery. He was sentenced to two-years of custody.

She also admitted a further count of handling stolen goods and one of fraud after an unnamed offender robbed another man on West Street in July and Kerrigan had later used the man’s stolen bank card on numerous occasions to withdraw or attempt to withdraw cash. Kerrigan also admitted a shop theft from October.

Ntungi, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the robbery from September and also admitted separate previous offences includng a theft and possessing a bladed article.

Nelson, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the robbery from October.

David Outterside, defending, said Kerrigan has become clean from drugs while she has been remanded. Errol Ballentyne, defending, said Nelson who has been suffering with long-term depression is starting to change his outlook. Clarkson Baptiste, defending, explained Ntungi has had a very difficult life after being a child-soldier in the Congo.

Judge Richardson sentenced Kerrigan to four years and four months of custody and Nelson and Ntungi were each sentenced to two years of custody.

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