Two Women Sentenced after Robberies in Middlesbrough

Two women have been sentenced for their parts in two robberies which took place over two days in February 2024.

Joanne Baillie, 42, of Elmhurst Gardens in Middlesbrough, and Christina Youll, 46, of no fixed address, smashed the door to a convenience store in the Hemlington area on 20^th February and demanded money from the till whilst in possession of knives.

The women made off with items including alcohol and cigarettes.

Hours later, around 2am on 21^st February, the women held a taxi driver at knife point in order to steal money from his pockets on Elmhurst Gardens in Hemlington.

A short time later, the women were located together and were arrested on suspicion of two robberies and possession of a knife in a public place.

Baillie was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after she assaulted an officer in the process of being arrested.

Both later pleaded guilty and were sentenced today, Monday 15^th April, at Teesside Crown Court. Youll received five years and two months in prison for the two robberies and breach of a suspended sentence, whilst Baillie received a sentence of five years and four months in prison for the two robberies.

Investigating officer, PC Romy Sargent, said: “We take incidents like this extremely seriously and welcome today’s sentences, which will keep the women from causing further harm to innocent members of the public.

“The women’s use of weapons in these incidents is extremely concerning and behaviour like this won’t be tolerated. These were traumatic incidents for both victim’s and I hope that these sentences bring them some form of comfort.

“Anyone who commits such crimes will be put before the courts and brought to justice.”

*** Pictured Joanne Baillie ***

*** Pictured: Christina Youll ***