A machete-wielding robber, who terrified staff during an armed raid on his local shop, has been jailed.
Michael Moynihan sparked a city wide manhunt following the armed robbery at the Co-Op in Walker Street, Hoole, on October 15.
The 22-year-old, who lives a short distance away from the shop at a property at Derby Place in Hoole, terrified staff and customers after walking into the store and threatening workers with a machete while demanding handfuls of cash.
On Tuesday (December 10), Moynihan was jailed for a total of three years after pleading guilty to one count of robbery and one count of possession of an offensive weapon, during a hearing at Chester Crown Court.
The court heard how, at 1.10pm, Moynihan walked into the busy store wielding the weapon and demanded cash from two members of staff.
Customers watched in horror as he threatened staff with the machete, before making off with a bag full of cash from the till.
The next day staff at a city centre store were left shocked after finding a black holdall stuffed with clothing and a machete in a bin outside their shop on Russell Street, which CCTV shows Moynihan dumping in the hours following the robbery.
Armed police were seen searching properties across the city centre in the hours following the attack and a city wide manhunt was launched.
Moynihan was arrested two-weeks later after shop CCTV showed him shopping in the store just hours before he came back armed for the robbery.
Police have welcomed the sentence as a reflection of the serious crime which left staff fearing for their lives.
“Robbery is a serious enough crime in itself but when the offender commits that crime armed with a weapon it can have a major impact,” said DC Robert Moore.
“Fortunately, no-one was injured during the robbery but the threat of violence had a big im
“The sentence handed down to Moynihan reflects the seriousness of this crime and we hope that the time behind bars will allow him to reflect upon his actions that day.”
“This incident took place in the middle of the afternoon in a busy area. We would like to thank all those involved for their co-operation and we hope that the successful conclusion of this case will bring some closure for them.”
