‘Cowardly’ robber used pistol to launch terrifying raids on south London businesses

A “cowardly” robber who launched a terrifying spree of armed robberies in south London has been jailed for 10 years.

Dorian Rankin, 42, used a handgun to force staff to hand over cash at a Betfred betting shop in Peckham and a Lloyds bank in Sydenham.

The spree started when Rankin grabbed a £10,000 gold necklace from staff at a pawnbroker in Walworth in November 2021.

He struck again in January 2022 when he went into a bookmakers in Rye Lane, Peckham armed with a handgun and threatened staff until they handed over cash.

Another month passed until Rankin burst into a high street bank in Sydenham and used the gun to get away with more money.

Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad swooped on Rankin six months later and arrested him, later charging him with the three robberies.

Rankin of Thornton Heath was sentenced to 10 years in prison, on Thursday at Inner London Crown Court.

DC Craig Prout, of the Flying Squad, said: “Rankin is a coward who used a firearm to threaten and intimidate innocent members of staff. This conviction shows how seriously we treat such offending and those who choose to carry out criminal acts will be identified and convicted.”

Anyone with information about those who use weapons to rob or intimidate people can provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111. They do not ask your name or trace your IP address.