Three squaddies from Queen’s elite Grenadier Guards charged over robberies
The guardsmen are due to appear in court on February 7 to enter their pleas as they stand charged with robbery, attempted robbery and conspiracy to rob
THREE squaddies have been charged with robberies while serving in the Queen’s elite guards.
The men from 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, who wear bearskin hats when on duty guarding Her Majesty, were arrested last month.
It came after staff at five shops were understood to have been threatened by a gang and told to hand over thousands of pounds plus scratchcards.
Targets included newsagents and off-licences in Brixton, Streatham, Tulse Hill and West Norwood, all in South London. Two were hit on the same day.
Elnur Bracegirdle, 20, from Preston, Lancs, Dillon Sharpe, 22, from Tulse Hill, and Kristopher James- Merrill, 19, from Brixton, were arrested.
The men, all based at the Grenadiers’ Lille barracks in Aldershot, Hants, were later charged. They are due to enter pleas today at Kingston crown court, South West London.
Bracegirdle’s mum told The Sun her lad had met the Queen and Prince Philip and performed sentry duties outside Buckingham Palace.
But even if I lose my friends I will stand by him. He is my son. I believe he has been in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s never been in trouble before in his life before.
Nika, mum of Elnur Bracegirdle
Her son wrote on a Facebook selfie: “TowerofLondon Guarding the Crown Jewels.”
Bracegirdle is charged with a single count of robbery. Mum Nika, 39, said: “It is a complete shock. We’re a normal, hard-working family but it’s going to destroy us.
“But even if I lose my friends I will stand by him. He is my son. I believe he has been in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s never been in trouble before in his life before.”
James-Merrill is charged with conspiracy to rob. Sharpe is charged with three robberies and two attempted robberies.
All three were remanded after their arrests and appeared before Wimbledon JPs on January 11.
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James-Merrill has since been bailed ahead of today’s hearing.
A Met spokesman confirmed the charges and added: “Detectives from the Flying Squad are investigating. Enquiries continue.”
The Grenadiers are the Army’s most senior infantry regiment.
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