Robbery Solicitors in Middlesbrough & North East

At MMA Law, our criminal defence solicitors have extensive experience defending clients facing a wide range of robbery charges. We understand how quickly these cases can escalate and how important a tailored legal defence is to protect your future.

Armed Robbery

Armed robbery involves using or threatening to use a weapon during the commission of a theft. This could include a firearm, knife, or even an imitation weapon. Because of the potential for serious harm, armed robbery is treated extremely seriously by the courts and often leads to lengthy prison sentences.

We provide robust legal representation in these cases, challenging evidence such as CCTV, forensics, and witness statements. If you're facing an armed robbery charge, it’s critical to get robbery legal advice from a solicitor with experience handling such high-stakes matters.

Street Robbery

Also known as “mugging,” street robbery typically happens in public places and often involves a sudden, violent encounter. Whether it’s a phone snatched at knifepoint or an assault to steal a wallet, our solicitors will assess every aspect of your case to build a strategic defence.

Robbery Involving Weapons or Firearms

Even if a weapon is not used, the presence or threat of one can be enough to aggravate the charge. This includes replica firearms or objects presented as weapons. The prosecution will often rely on witness perception, which can be challenged with careful cross-examination and expert evidence.

Commercial Robbery

These are offences committed in places of business such as:

• Shops
• Post offices
• Off-licences
• Petrol stations

These cases often include CCTV footage, multiple eyewitnesses, and higher-value property. Our team can challenge the admissibility and reliability of evidence and advise on legal defence in robbery cases involving commercial premises.

Robbery by Young Offenders

We regularly represent clients under the age of 18 who face robbery allegations. These cases require careful handling, both legally and emotionally. Courts often consider rehabilitation, but sentencing can still be severe, especially where violence or gangs are involved. Our solicitors are experienced in working with youth offending teams and courts to achieve the best possible outcome.

Aggravating Factors

Certain elements can make a robbery charge more serious:

• Use of weapons
• Physical injury to the victim
• Being part of a group or gang
• Targeting vulnerable victims

Aggravating factors influence how seriously the offence is viewed and can lead to tougher penalties. However, every case is unique. With the right legal team, it's possible to challenge the prosecution’s version of events.

If you’re facing a robbery charge in the UK, MMA Law can provide the expert legal defence you need. Contact us today for early advice.

Robbery is one of the most serious criminal offences under UK law. The maximum sentence for robbery is life imprisonment. However, the actual sentence given depends on a range of factors and is guided by the Sentencing Council's robbery sentencing guidelines UK.

How Sentences Are Decided

When someone is convicted of robbery, the judge considers:

• The level of violence or threat used – Was a weapon used? If so, what kind? Knife, Firearm, or something else? Was the victim physically harmed?
• The value and nature of what was stolen – High-value theft or targeting vulnerable victims increases the sentence.
• Aggravating and mitigating factors – These can raise or lower the sentence based on the context.
• Any previous convictions – A history of similar offences can lead to a harsher penalty.

Aggravating Factors

Certain elements can make a robbery more serious:

• Use of a weapon or firearm
• Committing the offence in a group or gang
• Targeting a vulnerable person or location (e.g., a small shop or lone individual)
• Causing physical or psychological harm

These factors often result in longer sentences and tougher bail conditions.

Mitigating Factors

Mitigating factors can reduce the length of a sentence. These include:

• Lack of previous convictions
• Showing genuine remorse
• Co-operating with the police
• Youth or immaturity (especially for under-18s)
• Committing the offence under pressure or coercion

A strong defence team will highlight these factors in court.

Typical Sentence Lengths

If you're wondering how long do you get for robbery UK, the answer depends entirely on the specifics of the case. For example:

• Street robbery without injury might result in a sentence of 2 to 5 years.
• Armed robbery or robbery causing harm could attract sentences of 8 years or more, depending on aggravating elements.

Repeat offenders or those involved in organised crime may face significantly longer custodial terms.

We approach every robbery allegation with a strategic mindset and a deep understanding of criminal law. The right defence can be the difference between conviction and acquittal. Our team of experienced robbery solicitors carefully assess all available information to decide which defence strategy best fits your case.

Common Defence Strategies We May Use

We build your defence based on the specific facts of your case. Some of the most effective robbery defence strategies include:

Lack of Intent

To be guilty of robbery, there must be intent to steal using force or the threat of force. If we can show there was no intention to permanently deprive someone of their property, this can weaken the prosecution's case.

Mistaken Identity

Robberies often happen quickly and in poor lighting or under stress. This can lead to mistaken identity. We challenge unreliable identification, including weak or partial CCTV footage and unclear witness accounts.

No Use or Threat of Force

Robbery requires an element of force or the threat of force. If the incident involved no physical contact or threatening behaviour, the charge may be reduced to theft or dropped altogether.

Alibi

If you were not at the scene, we help present clear and verifiable alibi evidence, supported by mobile phone data, witness testimony or digital records.

Unreliable Witnesses or CCTV

We closely analyse the quality and reliability of prosecution witnesses. Are they credible? Are they consistent? We also scrutinise CCTV—looking for gaps, poor quality, or misinterpretation by police.

Challenging CPS Evidence and Handling Disclosure

Much of fighting robbery charges involves uncovering weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Our team uses disclosure laws to demand all relevant evidence held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). This includes unused material that may support your innocence or cast doubt on key witnesses.

We also challenge the admissibility and interpretation of evidence, including:

• Forensic evidence (DNA, fingerprints)
• Mobile phone data (cell site, call logs, location tracking)
• Digital material (messages, social media, CCTV timestamps)

By identifying inconsistencies, weak links and procedural errors, we create reasonable doubt. Something that is often enough to prevent a conviction.

If you're looking for solicitors experienced in handling evidence in robbery cases, MMA Law can help. We know how to break down even the strongest-looking prosecutions and deliver results that protect your future.