Dozy knifemen waltzed up to newsagent and demanded 'bag of cigs now' then made getaway in a taxi

Two men are starting lengthy prison sentences for carrying out a terrifying knifepoint robbery at a convenience store in Blackpool.

Lancashire Constabulary launched an investigation after cash and cigarettes were taken in the raid at One Stop, Dinmore Avenue, on January 25 this year. At 9.51pm, the shop assistant was tidying the store and getting ready to close, when he saw two men walk in.

One of them approached the counter and shouted, ‘bag of cigs now’, with the shop assistant thinking he was joking. However, the second man then pulled out a kitchen knife from his jacket.

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Police said the shop assistant began filling a bag with cigarettes but the man holding the knife demanded he hand over the money in the till. Both offenders left the shop and left the area in a taxi.

The knife used in the robbery was found nearby and the next day officers arrested Christopher Walton and Cameron Wassall. Walton, 27, of John Foran Close, Manchester, and Cameron Wassall, 31, of Moor Park Avenue, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery.

At Preston Crown Court this week, Walton was jailed for three years and nine months. Wassall was jailed for two years and six months.

Det Con Alexa Taylor of West CID, said: "This was an offence where a knife was used to threaten a shop assistant while he was doing his job. Lancashire Police will investigate thoroughly any such offences and aim to bring offenders to justice.

"Two men have now been given prison sentences and we hope that provides reassurance in the local community."