A robber carried out an armed raid on a bank at the University of Chester campus just five minutes’ walk from his house.
Ian Michael Jones, 42, from Garden Lane, Chester was sentenced to five years in prison at Chester Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to robbery at the Santander branch on the Parkgate Road complex.
Armed with a knife, Jones entered the premises at 3.10pm on Wednesday May 21 this year and grabbed a female customer. He threatened her and demanded cash, which staff handed over to the man before he fled on foot. The 19-year-old woman was left shaken, but uninjured.
DS Debbie Bellis, from Chester CID said: “Today’s court result reflects the seriousness of Jones’ crime and the impact it has had on his victim. Robberies such as this are rare in Cheshire and we hope that the result serves as a warning to other would-be robbers.
“Today’s result serves a reminder to any other offenders that if you choose to break the law you will be actively targeted, caught and punished.”
Police officers carried out a search of the surrounding area and divers searched the nearby canal during the investigation. It is believed they were searching for a bicycle.
