Taking a lead

Detective Inspector Ian Still led the team that caught ‘Elvis’ – an armed robber who left dozens of victims traumatised. Frank le Duc reports

When a man dressed as Elvis held up a bookmakers in Brighton, he caught the public imagination. There were plenty of jokes being made. But for Detective Inspector Ian Still it was no laughing matter. Four days earlier the same man had tried to rob another bookies in Hove wearing a different disguise but left empty-handed. The fancy dress robber – Martin Reilly – was recently given a life sentence for seven armed robberies which left a trail of traumatised victims.

Now Ian Still has been recognised for leading the successful investigation which involved detectives from seven different police forces. He was one of a few dozen officers and support staff to be honoured for outstanding work at a Brighton & Hove Divisional Awards Ceremony. Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett said: “The courage and determination of my colleagues to continue to provide such an excellent service alongside such significant changes to our service is admirable.”

Detective Inspector Still, 49, said: “It was one of the most challenging cases I’ve been involved in. Reilly was a prolific offender. He showed no regard for any of the staff in the betting shops, who were all threatened with a weapon before being robbed. It was a terrifying ordeal. Almost all of his victims have been left traumatised by their frightening experiences.”

He paid tribute to their courage and the detailed statements that they gave in evidence to ensure that Reilly was sent back to prison for at least 12 years. He was out on licence having previously been sentenced to life imprisonment for robbery in 1995 – the year that Ian Still joined Sussex Police. Reilly had been regarded as a model prisoner before his release.

Detective Inspector Still said: “This was a demanding investigation. The manhunt for Reilly spanned seven police forces. Reilly had links to Ireland as well as London, the Midlands and the South East of England. He used several aliases, wore an array of disguises to alter his appearance in order to carry out his crimes and travelled around by public transport.”

“He showed no regard for any of the staff in the betting shops”

Reilly’s disguises all covered the distinctive scars on his cheeks. Hence the Elvis sideburns when he stole £2,700 from the Ladbrokes in Dyke Road, Brighton, in July last year. And the fake beard and big glasses when he tried to rob the William Hill in George Street, Hove.

Ian Still has received individual merits and congratulations in the past but this is the first time that he has been recognised for his leadership of an investigation. He said: “It’s nice to be recognised for all the hard work that went into this investigation. While the award was given to myself, it was a massive team effort. The support we were given from the bookmakers’ association, the victims, the public and our colleagues in other forces was vital.

“Brighton & Hove CID had great support from our colleagues in all the other forces and particularly from Hampshire and Northamptonshire, whose close collaboration and sharing of important information and intelligence helped bring Reilly to justice.”

Most emergency service workers will recognise some of the more common demands of the Reilly investigation – the long hours and the sudden changes to shift times at short notice. During the awards ceremony, at the Crew Club in Whitehawk, Chief Superintendent Bartlett praised them for their dedication and professionalism and for going “above and beyond the call of duty”. He also paid tribute to the families of officers whose lives were disrupted and whose plans were changed at short notice because of the job.

Sussex Police Authority member Emma Daniel, who presented many of the awards, said: “It is an honour to be able to represent the general public and say thank you to the officers and staff who provide such a quality service to the people of Brighton and Hove. It’s never been harder to work in this service in my opinion yet these officers and staff continue to go the extra mile for the people of Sussex. I know that the public greatly value the work they do.”