Bank raids gang jailed

NIALL KIERNAN

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A TRIO of 'highly sophisticated robbers' have been jailed for more than 40 years for their part in two bank robberies including a terrifying raid at the NatWest bank in Middleton Road, Westwood.

Nial Kiernan (26), from Caldbeck Drive, Middleton, Arran Crossan (26), from Talkin Drive, Middleton, and Anthony Morrison (37), from Bury New Road, Heywood, were sentenced on Friday at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Kiernan received a 22-year sentence and Crossnan 17 years after they were each convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Morrison was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of robbery.

On May 8, 2014, two work men were carrying out maintenance in the boiler room of the NatWest bank when one of them went to their van.

While outside, he noticed two men in high visibility jackets seemingly carrying out maintenance work but on closer inspection saw they were wearing balaclavas and armed with an axe and a crowbar.

The men forced him to the ground before demanding he get them into the bank.

After leading them into the boiler room and explaining that he had no access to the main bank, the offenders threatened him and his colleague and then forced their way into the bank itself.

They stole tens of thousands of pounds and jewellery before fleeing.

The second robbery took place at midday on June 12, 2016, at a bank in York Street, Heywood just after a cash delivery had been made.

After hearing the sound of glass smashing upstairs and thinking it was a colleague, a female member of staff went to investigate and was confronted by a balaclava-clad man.

He forced her into the staff kitchen where there was a fire escape and opened it, allowing his accomplice to come inside.

The pair then dragged the woman downstairs and into an office, where a number of her colleagues were, before forcing everybody present to lay on the ground.