Raid gang jailed for 39 years

Four men who carried out an armed raid on a Sheffield post office have been jailed for a total of 39 years at the city's crown court.

The gang targeted the Heeley Green post office in the south of the city on 25 September last year.

Three of the raiders are from the Sheffield area and the fourth from Swinefleet, East Yorkshire.

All four defendants pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation gun. Two admitted robbery.

Vulnerable targets

Fergie William Craney, 29, of Victoria Avenue, Sheffield, was jailed for seven years.

John Clifford Whittaker, 38, of Leighton Road, Gleadless, Sheffield, was sentenced to 10 years for robbery.

And Mark Steven Davison, 39, of Lichfield Road, Arbourthorne, Sheffield, was told he was being jailed for 12 years for robbery.

Paul Patterson, 38, of Riverdale Road, Swinefleet, East Yorkshire, was given a 10 year sentence.

Detective Sergeant Chris Singleton, of South Yorkshire Police's central robbery investigation team, told BBC News Online: "The police are happy with the (court) result.

"It seems the judge has realised that post offices are a vulnerable, but integral part of our community which need protecting.

"These sentences are a deterrent to anyone thinking of attacking these types of premises."