A man has been jailed for carrying out a robbery at a Blackburn bookies.
Atif Chowdhary wore a balaclava and was carrying what staff believed was a firearm wrapped in a plastic bag.
Around 7.25pm on 1st July last year, Chowdhary had gone into Betfred on Whalley New Road, and asked whether the shop would be open for a while longer.
He left the shop and returned to his home on Ash Street where he changed his clothes.
Chowdhary came back to Betfred, jumping over a wall from a neighbouring yard and entered the shop through the rear door.
In the shop, Chowdhary made threats to a staff member that if money wasn’t handed over, they would come to harm.
The terrified staff member handed over £3,000 cash to Chowdhary who left the shop.
He discarded some of his clothing in an alleyway and returned to Ash Street.
Following enquiries, Chowdhary was arrested on 5th July.
Chowdhary, 38, of Ash Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to robbery.
Appearing for sentence at Liverpool Crown Court, he was jailed for five years.
Det Con Tom Farrell of East Division CID, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the staff member at the bookmakers, with Atif Chowdhary making threats to steal a large quantity of money.”
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