FOUR men connected with a £40,000 masked raid on a designer menswear shop have gone to jail for a total of ten years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how up to eight men burst into Originals in Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, threatening customers before escaping in two stolen getaway cars last November.

Only one of the four - all from Langley, Middleton - was in the gang when the robbery took place, but another was the "lookout," one lent his scanner, later found to be tuned into Accrington police, while the fourth had labels from stolen clothing and jumpers at his home.

Reece Fleming, 18, of Thirlmere Drive, was sent to a young offenders institution for 12 months after handling stolen goods. Michael Ford, 21, of Hawkshead Drive, and Seamus Walsh, 36, of Burnside Crescent, are both behind bars for three and a half years and Richard Armstrong, 23, of Swinside Close, was jailed for two years. All three admitted conspiracy to rob.

Chris Knight, prosecuting, said Walsh was dropped off before the raid to keep watch on traffic and look out for police movements. He was equipped with a two-way radio like the ring leader.

Two stolen Granadas, each with at least three men inside, pulled up at the side of Originals and a gang of masked men, one with a screwdrver, then burst into the shop. Customers and staff were threatened with a wrench, abused, yelled and barked at to "get down."

The men got away with £40,000 worth of clothing.

Stephen Meadowcroft, for Fleming, who also had seven stolen jumpers in his possession, said he did not have a bad criminal record.

He had spent the equivalent of eight months in custody and was available for community service.

Ben Myers, representing Ford, said the defendant was not aware his accomplices were carrying weapons and did not threaten violence during the robbery.

Defending Armstrong, Michael Murray said he was not present in the shop.

He had stopped at the shop before, noticed a coat he liked and returned the day before the robbery, with two co-accused.

Simon Temple, for Walsh, said he was the lookout. He gave police a "spurious" story about breaking down.

Walsh, who committed most of his offending in his youth, did not anticipate weapons being used.

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