Fancy dress raider faces sentencing for holding up Brighton and Hove bookies

An armed robber who wore an Elvis disguise when he held up a Brighton bookies is due to be sentenced today (Monday 2 April).

Martin Reilly, 53, wore a false beard and glasses during a bungled raid on a branch of William Hill in George Street, Hove, in July last year.

Four days later he held up Ladbrokes in Dyke Road, Brighton, dressed as Elvis Presley and made off with £2,780.

Reilly was charged nine robberies and two attempted robberies across the south east of England, netting him more than £23,000. He used various disguises to hide distinctive scars on his cheeks.

He was also charged with having a firearm and an offensive weapon.

He admitted seven of the robberies and one of the attempted robberies and seven counts of having a firearm.

He is due to be sentenced at Brighton Crown Court later today.