A shopkeeper who used a cricket bat to fend off armed robbers said he is glad their getaway driver has been jailed.
Jason McCash, 27, admitted driving two cars in the attempted robbery of the Londis News Extra shop, on Barnes Road, in May last year at Preston Crown Court.
McCash, of Springhill Road, Accrington, wore a balaclava and waited outside the shop in a blue Volkswagen Passat, while two accomplices went in with weapons. He was jailed for five years last week after pleading guilty to attempted robbery.
Shop boss Nasir Ahmed was threatened by the balaclava-clad raiders who broke into Londis in Clayton-le-Moors armed with an axe and samurai sword.
After the hearing the dad-of-three said he startled the would-be thieves by grabbing his trusty cricket bat from behind the counter and slamming it down.
They fled with nothing and used the Passat and a Renault Clio to get away. Mr Ahmed, 55, who has run the Londis shop for seven years, said he hopes police can now catch the robbers who confronted him.
He said: "I’m pleased with the result and the sentence given to the getaway driver.
"It was a terrible day when it happened so I’m glad he has got what he deserved. He’s been punished. I would like to see the other two men caught.
"I'm sure the police are working on that and I have full faith in them." The Volkswagen Passat was later found abandoned near Bayley Street. A Renault Clio, also used in the robbery, was found abandoned in the Springhill area of Accrington.
A balaclava also discovered dumped nearby the shop had McCash's DNA on it.
Police have now said they want to question Stephen Robinson, 28, in connection with the attempted armed robbery of Londis. Robinson, who has links with Oswaldtwistle, is currently wanted on prison recall after failing to comply with the conditions of his prison licence.
He has been recalled to serve the remainder of a two-year sentence handed out in September 2008 for possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.
