Harvinder Bhakar, a 46-year-old man from Rainham, east London, was jailed for 10 years and 6 months in April 2026 for carrying out two armed robberies at betting shops in Romford on consecutive days in March 2024. Bhakar, who had 37 previous convictions at the time of sentencing, threatened female staff with a concealed imitation shotgun and made verbal threats to shoot them during the raids at a Paddy Power and a William Hill bookmakers.

Who Is Harvinder Bhakar?

Harvinder Bhakar was 46 years old at the time of his sentencing and lived at an address on Ingrebourne Road, Rainham, in east London. At the point of sentencing, he had 37 previous convictions on his record, the majority of which were for theft and robbery-related offences — a pattern of offending stretching back many years.

Bhakar’s criminal history includes particularly disturbing episodes. In 2004, he threatened to throw a woman’s baby onto train tracks unless she handed over money. In 2008, he carried out armed robberies at bookmakers in London in strikingly similar circumstances to the 2024 offences — showing that even after previous convictions and prison sentences, his pattern of targeting lone female staff in betting shops had not changed.

The judge noted at sentencing that Bhakar’s offending appeared to be driven significantly by drug addiction, and that despite multiple previous convictions, his willingness to terrorise vulnerable workers had not been deterred.

The William Hill Robbery (15 March 2024)

On 15 March 2024, Bhakar entered a William Hill bookmakers in Romford while a female employee was alone in the shop emptying the machines. Rather than producing a weapon, he gestured to his pocket and told her: “I will use what I have in my pocket if you do not give me the money.”

He then made the robbery deeply personal and threatening. He asked the woman for her name, told her he knew what she looked like and where she worked, and warned her not to call the police for five minutes: “I do not want to hurt you, but I will if you do not wait five minutes before calling the police.” He reached his arm under the secure screen and grabbed £21 in coins before leaving. The intimidation and the personal threat directed at the woman — implying he would return if she reported the offence immediately — caused significant distress beyond the financial loss.

The Paddy Power Robbery (16 March 2024)

Just one day later, on 16 March 2024, Bhakar struck again — this time at a Paddy Power bookmakers in Romford at approximately 10:00 pm. On this occasion, he escalated the level of threat significantly. He entered the shop hurriedly and approached the counter with what appeared to be a double-barrelled shotgun concealed up his sleeve.

He told the lone female employee: “Do not move or I will shoot. I have a gun and I will finish you.” The woman, showing considerable presence of mind and personal bravery, pressed a panic button she wore around her neck and backed into a secure area. Bhakar reached his arm under the screen and grabbed £21 in coins before fleeing. The weapon later turned out to be an imitation firearm — but the victim, alone at night with a man pointing what she believed was a real shotgun at her and threatening to kill her, had no way of knowing that at the time.

The psychological impact on both victims of these robberies is likely to have been lasting, despite the relatively small amounts of cash taken. Being threatened with a firearm at work, alone at night, is a deeply traumatic experience regardless of the sum involved.

Arrest and Prosecution

Bhakar was arrested in Romford on 17 March 2024 — the day after the second robbery. His arrest so quickly after the offences reflected effective police work, assisted by CCTV footage from both premises.

He was charged and prosecuted through the Crown Court. Robbery offences involving firearms — even imitation weapons — are treated particularly seriously by the courts under UK law, as the threat of lethal violence is entirely real from the victim’s perspective. An offender who produces what appears to be a loaded shotgun and threatens to shoot a person is committing an offence of the utmost gravity, regardless of whether the weapon is capable of firing.

For information about the UK court and prison system, including how sentences are determined for serious offences, see our guide to how the Parole Board works. Families of people in custody can also find guidance on how to book a prison visit or send money to a prisoner.

The Sentence and Judge’s Remarks

Harvinder Bhakar was sentenced to an extended prison sentence of 10 years and 6 months at Crown Court in April 2026. An extended sentence in England and Wales means that even after completing the custodial portion of the sentence, the offender serves an extended period on licence — during which they can be recalled to prison if they breach its terms. The Parole Board must approve the release of offenders serving extended sentences, meaning Bhakar cannot simply be freed at the end of a fixed term.

The sentencing judge, Judge Canavan, was openly scathing in his remarks. He told Bhakar that he had “devastated the lives of two women who, unlike him, are useful members of society” — women who “work and pay tax, something Bhakar has failed to do throughout his life.” The judge told him directly: “You have a truly selfish outlook to life and all that matters to you is where you get your next fix from.” Judge Canavan expressed “little doubt that if and when you are released, you will absolutely do the same thing again.”

The use of an extended sentence — rather than a standard determinate sentence — reflects the judge’s concern that Bhakar poses an ongoing danger to the public, and particularly to lone female workers in licensed betting premises. This type of sentence gives the Parole Board the power to decide whether it is truly safe to release him when the time comes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Harvinder Bhakar?

Harvinder Bhakar is a 46-year-old man from Rainham, east London, who was jailed for 10 years and 6 months in April 2026 for two armed robberies at bookmakers in Romford in March 2024. He had 37 previous convictions at the time of sentencing, including a prior offence in 2008 involving robbery at bookmakers.

What did Harvinder Bhakar do?

Bhakar robbed two Romford betting shops on consecutive days in March 2024. At a William Hill branch, he threatened a lone female employee by gesturing to a concealed item in his pocket and warned her not to call police. The following night, at a Paddy Power branch, he produced what appeared to be a double-barrelled shotgun and threatened to shoot the female employee. Both weapons turned out to be imitation firearms, but the victims had no way of knowing that at the time.

What sentence did Harvinder Bhakar receive?

Bhakar received an extended prison sentence of 10 years and 6 months. An extended sentence means he is subject to an extended period on licence after his custodial term, and the Parole Board must approve his release. This type of sentence is typically used for offenders deemed to pose a continuing danger to the public.

Why does Bhakar have an extended sentence rather than a standard one?

UK courts can impose extended sentences where an offender is considered dangerous and likely to reoffend upon release. In Bhakar’s case, his lengthy record of 37 previous convictions — including earlier bookmaker robberies and threatening a mother with her baby — led Judge Canavan to conclude that he posed an ongoing risk to the public. An extended sentence gives the Parole Board the power to decide whether it is safe to release him.

Is Harvinder Bhakar still in prison?

Yes. Bhakar began serving his 10-year-and-6-month extended sentence following his sentencing in April 2026. He will not be released automatically at any fixed point; instead, the Parole Board will determine when — and if — it is safe to release him. Given his history of reoffending after previous sentences, the Parole Board will scrutinise his case carefully before any release is approved.