'Dangerous' Blackpool armed robber finally caught after fleeing to America in 2010 to avoid jail

James Bernard Flynn, from Liverpool, stood trial in 2010 for possession of an imitation firearm while committing a robbery in Blackpool.

While the now 55-year-old attended court for his trial, Flynn - who has dual nationality - jumped bail and fled to the US before his verdict was given.

In his absence, he was found guilty and given an indeterminate sentence as a dangerous offender with a minimum term of five years and 188 days on August 10, 2010.

In a recent turn of events, Flynn was arrested by police in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and sentenced to jail time in the state penitentiary for an unrelated crime.

Due to his status as a wanted man in the UK, Lancashire Police were also alerted to the proceedings in America.

Extradition proceedings were then started to bring Flynn back to the UK at the end of his sentence in the US.

The US Marshal Service facilitated the extradition and he appeared at Preston Crown Court on August 28 where the judge ordered he serve the sentence handed down in 2010.

He will be extradited from the UK following his sentence.

Lancashire Constabulary’s Head of Crime, DCS Ian Whitehead, said: "To get Flynn back to this country demonstrates a huge amount of tenacity and patience to ensure that justice is served for someone who is clearly a dangerous individual."