A woman has been given a 12-year sentence for committing three knifepoint robberies at shops in Nelson.
Amy Cowburn (pictured) went on the robbery spree over three days in November last year.
She brandished a machete in the last of the robberies, threatening staff with it before stealing £175 from the till.
The first robbery happened on 22nd November, with Cowburn and an unknown man targeting a pharmacy on Chapel House Road – one of them armed with a Stanley knife. They stole a quantity of medication.
The next day, Cowburn and accomplice Robert White, stole £1,500 in a raid at Best Booze, Barkerhouse Road.
White had a kitchen knife and threatened the shopkeeper, while Cowburn stood at the door and encouraged him.
Then at 7.20am on November 24th, Cowburn went into One Stop, Netherfield Road, armed with a machete.
She was arrested on December 7th after an investigation by Lancashire Police.
Cowburn, 32, of Charter Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to three offences of robbery.
Appearing for sentence at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, she was sentenced to 12 years for the robbery at One Stop, consisting of seven years and four in prison, with an extended licence period of four years and eight months.
Cowburn was given concurrent sentences of three years and four months for the robbery at the pharmacy, and three years and eight months for the Best Booze robbery.
Robert White, 39, of Carleton Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to the robbery at Best Booze.
White was jailed for three years and six months.
Three men sentenced for drug offences in Accrington
Chumbawamba musician’s new song for Burnley’s ‘Year of Culture’
Sunday trains return as landmark agreement brings wider benefits across the North
Closure order served on shop in Nelson
Ultrabeat to headline Darwen Christmas Lights Switch-On
More than 2,500 fake items seized from Accrington shop
Arrests and stop searches carried out in Blackburn in operation tackling antisocial behaviour
Area of Darwen targeted by antisocial behaviour is transformed in day of action
