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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National

Soldier from the Queen's Grenadier Guards admits series of robberies

Dillon Sharpe appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Monday (Picture: PA Archive/PA Images)

A soldier who carries out ceremonial duties for the Queen has admitted a series of robberies.

Grenadier Guards troop Dillon Sharpe pleaded guilty on Monday to three robberies and four attempted robberies after previously admitting a string of convenience store raids.

The 22-year-old also pleaded guilty to seven counts of possession of an imitation firearm during the hearing at Kingston Crown Court.

The offences Sharpe admitted on Monday all happened during a spree between July 24 and 26 last year.

He was first arrested along with fellow soldier Elnur Bracegirdle, 20, from the same regiment after a convenience store in Brixton was targeted on January 10.

Both admitted carrying out that robbery at an earlier hearing.

Sharpe, of Dulwich, south-east London, has also pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun disguised as a torch and Bracegirdle admitted carrying a knife at the time of the offence.

Bracegirdle, of Preston, Lancashire, denied possessing a prohibited weapon, while Sharpe pleaded not guilty to having a bladed article on the same date.

Sharpe previously admitted two counts of robbery, two of attempted robbery and four of possession of an imitation firearm.

They relate to four convenience store raids across south London over four days in February last year.

The charges state he stole or tried to steal money and scratch cards.

The July offences are alleged to have been committed with a third soldier, Kristopher James-Merrill, 19, of Brixton, who denies the charges against him.

Sharpe, who appeared via video link from HMP Wandsworth, was remanded in custody ahead of a two-week trial starting on July 1 on the remaining charges the three soldiers are facing.

All the soldiers are in the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and are believed to have been based at the Lille Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Soldiers from the Grenadier Guards, one of the Army's most senior regiments, are recognised by the scarlet tunic and bearskin uniforms they wear while on ceremonial duty at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

They are accused on a 25-count indictment spanning 12 robberies or attempted robberies.

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