Three squaddies from Queen’s elite Grenadier Guards jailed over vicious armed robbery spree

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THREE soldiers who guarded the Queen were jailed yesterday after a wave of late-night shop raids in three days.

Hooded Kristopher James-Merrill, 20, Dillon Sharpe, 23, and Elnur Bracegirdle, 21, used a stun gun and knives in the vicious spree.

Dillon Sharpe is one of three Grenadier Guards who were charged with robbery – he has been sentenced to 13 years in jail

Elnur Bracegirdle was jailed for six years over his involvement in the wave of late-night shop raids

Meanwhile Kristopher James-Merrill was convicted after a trial and got five years

The Grenadier Guardsmen, famed for the bearskin hats they wear on duty outside Buckingham Palace, struck across South London with ex-QPR youth player Marlon Wright, 26.

Ringleader Sharpe, behind 12 raids, got 13 years while Bracegirdle was jailed for six. Both pleaded guilty.

James-Merrill and Wright — convicted after a trial — each got five years.

Judge Timothy Lamb QC, told Kingston crown court the soldiers had brought “disgrace” to the Army.

Det Sgt Jamie Witts said: “This case is both shocking and somewhat disheartening in that these men were in positions of responsibility and trust — three have served their country.”

Former QPR youth player Marlon Wright was also involved in the vicious robbery spree

The group used a stun gun and knives to terrorise shop owners

Bracegirdle pictured outside the palace
James-Merrill is the youngest of the trio at just 20