This afternoon, a former Wolves player who was fired after the team was promoted to the Premier League and went on to commit a horrifying heist, was sentenced to over three years in prison.
This afternoon, a former Wolves player who was fired after the team was promoted to the Premier League and went on to commit a horrifying heist, was sentenced to over three years in prison.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that striker Liam Hughes “had the world at his feet” until Wolves were promoted to the Premier League last year, at which point his contracts, along those of four other youth team players, were terminated.
According to reports, the 21-year-old “struggled to cope with the rejection” and turned to crime.
When he and his accomplice, 22-year-old Ricky Mills, raided Holloway Stores in Lower Gornal, they pretended to have a pistol.
The two were shown on camera threatening the store owner before making off with a £1,200 till.
Mills, who bit the store owner during the heist on February 13, was sentenced to five years in prison today, while Hughes, who has also played for Stafford Rangers, was given a 32-month prison sentence.
Judge Martin Walsh told Hughes during the sentencing process: “You have a lot of promise, but you were definitely involved in this conduct. You remained at the front door, probably keeping an eye out.”
Prior to the robbery, the two ex-school mates entered the business twice and requested cigarettes on loan, according to prosecutor Miss Alka Brigue.
Mills lunged at the cash register as Hughes watched over the front entrance. ‘Give me the money out of the till, I’ve got a gun,’ Mills reportedly said as the shopkeeper locked it and pocketed the key.
Miss Brigue stated Hughes then said, “He has got a gun, he had, he pulled it out on me earlier on the street,” and reiterated the threat.
After biting the store owner’s finger and causing blood, Mills leaped over the counter, took the till, and fled. Hughes remained in the store, chatting with customers, and departed just before the police showed up.
Shortly after, Mills of Eagle Place, Dudley, and Hughes of Kenilworth Crescent, Parkfields, were both taken into custody.
Hughes joined Wolves in July 2005 as a scholarship academy player. In 2007, he signed a professional deal that lasted until February. From the age of ten, he has participated in Wolves young team games.
In defence, Mr. Gurdeep Garcha indicated that Hughes found it difficult to accept his dismissal since he had been looking forward to a professional football career. Since then, he’s managed to land a job selling windows.
When Hughes signed with the Stafford Rangers in 2008, manager Steve Bull commended him for his excitement.In the 08/09 season, he participated in roughly ten games for Pensnett United in addition to three appearances for Rangers.
Hughes participated in several Wolves reserve games, such as those against Walsall and Wrexham. For two years, he led the Wolves Academy team to victory in Holland as their leading scorer.
Both Mills and Hughes, who was designated as the “lead offender,” acknowledged robbing people.
