McVay and Birbeck jailed for violent robberies in Amersham and Chesham Bois with teen accomplice

Two violent robbers have been locked up after a spree of blood-curdling attacks across Amersham and Chesham Bois that left locals reeling. Connor McVay, 32, and Aaron Birbeck, 27, brought fear and chaos to Buckinghamshire communities, wielding machetes and axes in a string of armed robberies that traumatised innocent store workers and left one victim with life-changing injuries.

The pair were sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court following an extensive investigation by Thames Valley Police. Their ruthless crimes painted a grim picture of brutality in broad daylight—targeting small, hardworking businesses just trying to survive.

The terrifying episodes left residents shaken, as McVay and Birbeck showed no hesitation in threatening and injuring shopkeepers. In one particularly harrowing incident, a store owner was viciously attacked and now faces a lifetime of recovery from the injuries inflicted.

Alongside the two men was a 16-year-old accomplice, whose involvement in the crimes sparked alarm at the apparent recruitment of youth into high-stakes violence. While the teen avoided prison, he was handed a youth rehabilitation order, signalling that his actions carried serious, long-term consequences.

Detective Conor Cormican of the Buckinghamshire Priority Crime Team condemned the attacks, calling the robbers’ actions a “mindless wave of violence” against defenceless citizens simply doing their jobs. He praised the bravery of victims and officers alike, stating, “These convictions reflect the strength of our resolve to protect our communities from this kind of criminal menace.”

The criminals’ crime spree came to a dramatic end following a nationwide pursuit by police. Their capture marked the close of a terrifying chapter for the residents of Amersham and Chesham Bois, who had been left living in fear.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of investigators, McVay and Birbeck now face lengthy prison sentences—removing a dangerous threat from the streets. Community members have expressed relief, finally able to breathe easier knowing the culprits are behind bars.

For local businesses and families, justice has been served. The conviction serves not only as punishment but as a powerful deterrent to others who might consider similar paths of destruction.

With Thames Valley Police standing firm on its zero-tolerance stance against violent crime, these sentences send a message: such brutality will be pursued, prosecuted, and punished to the fullest extent of the law.