Man jailed for armed robbery in Skelmersdale

After a week-long trial, Michael Wilson of Parkside Avenue, Skelmersdale was found guilty by a jury of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm in relation to a robbery at the K & H Hives store in Tansfield on the 27th of November 2011.

At around 9pm on the 27th of November, police received reports that a man had walked into the K & H Hives store in Tansfield, approached the counter and produced what appeared to be a black handgun.

The man pointed the gun towards a customer in the shop and demanded money from the shop assistant who then gave him a white carrier bag containing cash from the till. The man then left the shop on foot.

An investigation was launched, and Wilson was arrested in connection with the robbery in December of last year before being charged and brought before the courts.

Sergeant Phil Bowerbank of Skelmersdale CID said, "This was a very serious incident which left those in the shop extremely shaken and frightened and I am very pleased with the result today.

"Wilson is now behind bars for a substantial period of time and this highlights the fact that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities.”