A man has been handed a thirteen-year prison sentence, and will serve a further five years on extended licence afterwards, after pleading guilty to two armed robberies Jimmy Young threatened staff at Co-op stores in Midsomer Norton and Timsbury.
The first incident, at about 9 pm on 21st July, saw Young enter the shop, produce a handgun and threaten a member of staff. He made off with a quantity of cash and made off in a car stolen from South Bristol.
The second robbery occurred at about 7 am on 10th August in Timsbury, where he threatened two employees in a similar fashion. He again fled with a quantity of cash, this time in a vehicle stolen from Bradley Stoke.
Forensic evidence secured at the scenes confirmed Young was linked to the two robberies and firearms officers successfully arrested the 46-year-old on in Pensford ten days later.
Young, from Paulton, initially denied involvement when questioned by police, but ultimately pleaded guilty to both robberies, five counts of possession of a firearm to cause fear of violence, as well as two counts of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
DC Jon Oakey said: “Jimmy Young committed two armed robberies with no thought for the terrified innocent people working in those stores. A dangerous offender finds himself behind bars and we welcome the custodial sentence handed to him.”