Bookie robbed returning from Cheltenham (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Bookie robbed returning from Cheltenham

MASKED robbers hijacked a famous bookmaker as he drove back from the Cheltenham Festival to his hotel in Bibury last Thursday.

Freddie Williams, 63, was travelling to his hotel when his Jaguar was forced to stop on a country road near Northleach.

The robbers used crowbars to smash the car's windows before making off with tens of thousands of pounds.

Mr Williams and his two passengers suffered cuts from the flying glass and were left "very traumatised" by the attack.

The 63-year-old, known as "The King of the Ring", had been staying at the Bibury Court Hotel and is believed to have had £70,000 stolen.

The robbers, who were wearing balaclavas, used two cars, a Vauxhall Cavalier and a Land Rover, to forcibly stop the Jaguar in a lane between Northleach and Bibury just off the A429 near Fossebridge.

Police were called to the scene at around 6.30pm.

Chief inspector David Peake, of Gloucestershire police, said: "It's believed the offenders made off from the scene in the Vauxhall Cavalier and Land Rover.

"However, these vehicles have been found by the police close to the scene of the crime and had been set on fire. The occupants of the Jaguar sustained minor cuts as a result of flying glass and were very traumatised by this serious incident."

A full investigation has now been launched.

The robbery took place after the third day of racing at the Cheltenham Festival, which attracts thousands of racegoers and bookmakers to the district.

Another bookmaker also had £32,000 stolen from his home in Worcestershire after the festival later that night.

The Jockey Club told the Standard this week that although it is not primarily concerned with betting, it would be happy to take part in talks with bookmakers' representatives about the problem.

Jockey Club spokesman Paul Struthers said: "As part of the review of Cheltenham I am sure the issue will be brought up and our security department will play a role within that. We are not responsible for betting, but if the organisations wanted to use our expertise we would be very willing to work with them on this."