A SECURITY guard has recalled the moment he was shot during an armed robbery in Blackburn.

Imran Aslam, a 34-year-old employee of cash-in-transit delivery firm Loomis, described being 'manhandled', threatened and then seeing the shooter pull the trigger three times.

Mr Aslam, who was delivering a £20,000 cashbox to an ATM in Preston Old Road, Cherry Tree, on December 11, 2008, said: “I saw two men running towards me wearing balaclavas. "They wanted me to let them into the premises.

“I was pushed to the front of the shop and they were shouting and waving a gun around at my colleague who was stood at the front of the shop, but inside.

“The first man said 'Open the door or I'll f***ing shoot you'.

“I said 'There's nothing I can do, I can't let you in. After telling them that, I said 'That's all I've got, that's all I can give you'. I placed it (the cashbox) on the floor in front of them.

“It was picked up by one the people. One had a gun and he pulled the trigger. It discharged the third time. I was hit on my right thigh.”

Mr Aslam was giving evidence on the second day of the trial of four men and one woman accused of conspiracy to commit robbery.

He told the jury that the man making the threats was 'trying to put on a Mancunian accent'.

The court heard he was in Royal Blackburn Hospital for two days following the shooting and off work for two months.

He was allowed to sit whilst giving evidence because of pain in his leg.

He had only been working for Loomis for two months and it was his second visit to that particular cashpoint when the robbery took place.

Dean Farrell, 22, of Billinge Avenue, Blackburn, denies two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and wounding with intent.

David Evans, 20, of Bonsall Street, Blackburn, denies conspiracy to commit robbery in Blackburn and wounding with intent.

Billy Anker, 27, of Nuttall Street, Blackburn, denies conspiracy to commit robbery in Blackburn and possession of illegal ammunition.

James Mulholland, 37, of Windermere Avenue, Accrington, denies conspiracy to commit robbery in Thornton, following a raid which is alleged to be linked to the Blackburn incident.

Samantha Knight, 24, of Cavendish Place, Blackburn, denies two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Colin McCash, 31, of Spencer Street, Accrington, and Simon Ginn have already pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery.

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