TWO Blackburn men involved in a fraud selling luxury items at bargain prices have each been jailed for four years.

Preston Crown Court was told when punters became suspicious about the bargain price for a camcorder and a computer, they were threatened with a knife.

Appearing for sentence was Martin Maughan, 41, of Dyson Street, and Martin Stokes, 41, of Infirmary Street.

Both were found guilty of two charges of robbery following a trial.

One offence took place in April last year and involved £450 while the second in July involved £410.

The court heard the victims were offered property at a bargain price but a bag switch took place with the replacement containing fizzy drinks in a carry case.

When the victims suspected all was not well they were threatened with a knife and their money taken.

Kevin Donnelly, defending Maughan, said he denied the threat of violence with the knife.

He said he was a member of the travelling community and had no previous convictions.

Maughan had not appreciated the seriousness of the offences nor the impact on the victims.

Joe Boyd, defending Stokes said his children would be left without a parent while he was in custody.

He, too, had not realised the seriousness of the offences.

Judge Angela Nield said the offences were premeditated.

She accepted no violence was used, but large amounts of money were taken at knifepoint.

Lancashire Trading Standards said the case highlighted the need to take care when bargain hunting.

A spokesman said: "This again serves to prove that if something seems too good to prove then it usually is.

"When people go to things like one day sales and black bag sort of sales then they will invariably get ripped off and there is usually some sort of scam involved.

He added: "We would always recommend people go to reputable dealers and they have the added protection that if you take the product back for whatever reason then you will usually be entitled to a refund or exchange."