A man who carried out an armed robbery at a bookmaker’s shop in Burnley has been jailed for eight years.
Kurt Marsden pointed an imitation firearm at the cashier and handed over a bag, ordering her to ‘fill it’ with cash.
He clicked the trigger as if he was going to fire the handgun while waiting for the cashier to hand over money.
Marsden struck at William Hill, Rosegrove Lane, Burnley, just before 9pm on Saturday 21st February.
He wore a camouflage jacket with the hood up and carrying a walking stick, going up to the counter and producing a handgun before making the demand for cash.
Marsden made off with £165 in £10 and £5 notes.
CCTV enquiries showed Marsden arriving in a white Ford Puma and parking near the bookies at 8.54pm, before returning to his car just before 8.57pm.
Marsden was arrested by officers at his home in Rishton, at 3am the following morning.
Marsden, 35, of Commercial Street, Rishton, appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court this week after pleading guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
He was jailed for eight years.
Detective Constable Peter Mather of Burnley CID, said: “Kurt Marsden chose to arm himself with a realistic looking firearm and carry out a robbery at a bookmaker’s shop.
“The lone staff member working at the shop was put in fear by Marsden’s brandishing the gun and was forced to fill a bag with cash.
“Our enquiries quickly led to Marsden being identified and arrested.
“The use of firearms or imitation firearms is extremely serious, and I welcome the prison sentence imposed by the judge.”
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