Masked gunman left family ‘fearing they would be killed’

The jailing of two masked thugs for their part in a terrifying gunpoint shop raid which left a family fearing they would be killed should serve as a major warning to others, police said today.
This is the moment the gun was pointed at a shopkeeper and his family.This is the moment the gun was pointed at a shopkeeper and his family.
This is the moment the gun was pointed at a shopkeeper and his family.

Luke Munro, 19, and Dylon Thompson, 21, were jailed for a combined total of more than eight years yesterday in connection a late-night raid of the Londis convenience store, on Rossall Road, Cleveleys, last October.

The masked pair burst into the shop before one of the men pulled out the imitation weapon and demanded money from the till.

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He made a reach for the register while his accomplice stood by the door, only to start hurling sweets at the store owner and his wife – whose 18-month-old child was in a pram next to them – when they refused to hand over the cash.

Luke MunroLuke Munro
Luke Munro

But the family stood up to the men, who eventually fled.

Today, following the sentences, the shopowner said the terrifying incident had left him and his family too scared to speak out.

Detectives revealed the family had been “left in fear of their lives” following the shocking incident.

Det Con Paul Morris, of Blackpool Police, told The Gazette: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the two shop owners and their young child who were left in fear of their lives after being threatened with what they believed to be a real firearm.

Dylon ThompsonDylon Thompson
Dylon Thompson
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“Munro and Thompson caused extreme distress for the victims involved and I hope that the sentences send a warning to criminals that crimes of this nature are treated seriously by both the police and the courts as well as bringing some closure for the victims.”

The pair were jailed at Preston Crown Court yesterday.

Munro, of The Cop in Cleveleys, was given a total of five years and four months prison for offences including robbery, possessing a firearm and burglary.

Thompson,of Ritherham Avenue, Cleveleys, was sentenced to three years and four months for robbery and possessing a firearm.

Speaking at the time of the incident, officers praised the couple’s actions in standing up to the men during the incident, which took place around 10.40pm on October 15.

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Det Insp Gareth Willis, of Blackpool CID, said: “It is unbelievable. She had a baby in a pram in the shop with her.

“He has waved a weapon about at this woman – it is frightening.

“It’s just incredibly brave of them not to give them what they wanted. The victims have been extremely brave in what must have been a terrifying incident for them both.

“The female actually had her baby with her in the store when she was threatened with the weapon, which makes the offenders’ actions even more reprehensible.