A man has been jailed for his part in two terrifying robberies which saw shop staff threatened with a knife and hammer.
Two armed raiders entered D&T Wines on Standish Street, St Helens on August 10 this year and one of the robbers was brandishing a knife.
Police said the shop assistant was threatened and the men fled the scene with cash and a bottle of whisky after the sickening raid.
Just three days later police said two men with their faces covered and armed with a kitchen knife and a hammer entered Bet Fred, on Bickerstaffe Street again in St Helens and demanded cash before fleeing the scene on foot.
Today police welcomed the sentencing of one of the robbers who has been jailed for his part in the robberies.
Christopher Heffey, 35, (pictured) of Providence Court, Charles Street, St Helens was arrested and charged with both robberies and remanded into custody.
He pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court and on Monday was sentenced to five-and-a-half years imprisonment.
Detective Inspector Tony O’Brien said: “I am pleased that Heffey was detained and charged so promptly following the two robberies and has now been sent to jail for the offences.
“Business robberies are not victimless crimes, they often involve people who are just trying to do their job becoming victims of traumatic and sometimes violent incidents and as such we treat them extremely seriously."
He added: “We regularly work with partners to provide advice on practices and measures business owners can introduce to make their businesses more secure and engage in high visibility patrols in areas with high footfall to reassure businesses and shoppers alike."
Police said a bid to catch the second robber are ongoing.
Det Insp O’Brien said: “Enquiries remain ongoing in relation to the second male and I would ask anyone who has any information which could assist the investigation to contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800."
