A PAIR of bungling robbers who made their getaway from a post office hold-up in a 26-six year-old 'banger' have each been jailed for three and a half years.

The replica gun used in the attempted robbery at Forton Post Office was so unconvincing that the post master came out from behind his protective screen and told the robbers to "get lost."

Mr Tim White, defending John Griffin and Glen McKinlay, told Preston Crown Court: "It was the most inept, unsophisticated and immature robbery that could possibly be imagined."

"The getaway vehicle was a 1971 Triumph 2000 which could only be described as a relic that had managed to evade the clutches of a scrapyard. It was probably only able to travel a mile."

McKinlay, 36, and Griffin, 41, from Blackpool, both pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and having an imitation firearm.

Prosecutor Patrick Thompson, said the hold-up occurred at the Forton Post Office in Hollins Road, Forton, on July 31 this year.

Griffin walked into premises and pointed an imitation gun at the post master Robert Noblett demanding money.

Mr Thompson said: "Mr Noblett told him to get lost and thought it was a joke. Griffin persisted with his demand but when the post master pressed the panic button he ran out."

He was seen to get into a car a mile away and the replica gun was found nearby.

In mitigation, Mr White told the court: "The weapon used was unconvincing to say the least. Mr Noblett never believed it was real. He came out from behind his protective screen and told Griffin to leave."

He explained that the men had taken out a loan with a money lender. Repayment was enforced with threats of violence and the defendants decided to rob the post office to try and get money.

The Judge, Reginald Lockett, told them: "Any approach to a shop in these circumstances is serious. A substantial prison sentence must follow."

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