Brothers who wore elderly balding men latex face masks during knifepoint robbery are jailed

Two brothers who dressed up as old men using ‘extremely life-like’ latex face masks to rob a jewellers’ shop have been jailed for a combined total of 31 years after police on a routine stop discovered their creepy masks. 

In September 2021, Benjamin Murphy, 37, and George Murphy-Bristow, 28, arrived at a jewellery store in Epping High Street, Essex, wearing full-face latex masks – giving them the appearance of balding elderly men. 

The odd and aggressive pair threatened staff to let them into the shop, and once inside, ushered a worker to the office where they tied them to a chair with cable ties before removing a Rolex watch – valued at £15,000- from their wrist.

The duo, who were brandishing a knife and a hatchet axe, searched the staff area before the alarm was raised and they fled the scene in a vehicle parked outside.

Several weeks later, officers on patrol around 36 miles away in Canvey Island, Essex stopped a suspicious vehicle.

Dressed as old men, Ben Murphy and George Murphy-Bristow carried out a terrifying armed robbery 

Ben Murphy (left) and George Murphy-Bristow (right) were jailed for a combined total of 31 years 

The driver of the car was George Murphy-Bristow and in the boot were two full-face masks and clothing identical in appearance to that worn by the suspects in the robbery.

Officers also found a black duffel bag containing a hatchet, knife and cable ties.

Murphy-Bristow was arrested at the scene.

A forensic examination of saliva found inside the two masks was carried out – identifying DNA belonging to Murphy-Bristow and his older brother Benjamin Murphy, linking them to the robbery on September 27, 2021.

The pair were arrested at separate locations on June 21 last year and refused to answer any questions during their respective interviews.

Both men were charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article and were remanded in custody.

The brothers, of Islington, north London, denied their part in the robbery when they appeared at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court on June 22, 2021.

A jury took just over an hour to find the men guilty following a three-day trial at Basildon Crown Court.

They also found the two latex masks used in the crime as well as a bag of weapons 

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The brothers’ disguises were described as extremely life-like in court

During a routine police stop, officers discovered one of the disguises used in the robbery

Murphy was convicted of robbery and two counts of possession of a bladed article, and received an 18 year custodial sentence.

While Murphy-Bristow was convicted of robbery, two counts of possession of a bladed article, and going equipped for theft. He received a 13 year custodial sentence.

The Rolex watch stolen from the staff member has never been recovered.

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, of Essex Police, said: ‘Benjamin Murphy and his brother George Murphy-Bristow planned this robbery, to use masks that would help them avoid detection.

‘But it was the forensic examination amongst other detailed Detective work & proactive Policing that proved the pair were directly linked to the robbery.

‘I want to thank the store’s staff for supporting our investigation following an undoubtedly frightening incident, but I hope that they can now move on.’