Cricklewood mother who hid her son from police while he carried out £400k burglary spree is jailed
Karen Gordon has been jailed for a year - Credit: Archant
Karen Gordon booked hotels for Mark Laidlaw and his five accomplices
This photo of Mark Laidlaw is believed to have been taken shortly after he committed one of the burglaries - Credit: Archant
A Cricklewood mother who harboured her wanted son from the police while he took part in a string of burglaries has been jailed for a year.
Karen Gordon, 49, of Prayle Grove, booked hotels for 21-year-old Mark Laidlaw and his accomplices despite knowing the police were hunting for her son.
The 21-year-old was wanted on recall back to prison after breaking the terms of his licence when he was released from prison early for an earlier aggravated burglary offence.
Laidlaw, who had denied any wrong doing, was jailed for 15 years after being convicted of conspiracy to burgle, robbery and two aggravated burglaries last week at Wood Green Court.
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His five co-defendants were jailed for a total of 39-and-a-half years.
Gordon had admitted harbouring an escaped prison and was sentenced on Monday.
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During the trail last week, jurors heard the gang stole two black Mercedes cars, cash, jewellery and electronic goods between August 8 and 30.
During one break in the prestigious Bishops Avenue in Hampstead, the occupants were threatened with knives in front of their children and in another incident, also in Hampstead, three men brandishing a screwdriver and crowbars forced their way in to a house but were fought off by the occupier and his two sons.
The trio sustained injuries and fled leaving their tools and compelling DNA evidence.
In another break-in at a shop in Willesden a cash box containing £20,000 was stolen but the thieves were unaware the notes had been dyed with identifiable ink.
Working on intelligence police arrested the gang at a hotel in Hanger Lane, Alperton, on August 31.
All, except Laidlaw, pleaded guilty to a variety of offences including possession with intent to supply controlled drugs, handling stolen goods, harbouring an escaped prisoner, conspiracy to burgle, aggravated burglary and robbery.
Click on picture gallery at the right to see the other defendants’ photos and their sentences.
