A FORMER England youth international who robbed two convenience stores armed with weapons has been jailed for 12 years.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how 32-year-old Adam Neal committed the first offence at the Spar convenience store in Oswaldtwistle on August 8 last year. In that incident staff were left terrified after being threatened with a handgun and a sword.
Three days later Neal was filmed by an eyewitness running from the Rishton Mini Market store he had just robbed at knifepoint.
Following the robberies Neal, now of no fixed address but formerly of South Street, Accrington, tried to sell a gun over social media to co-defendant Darren McFarlane for £300.
They were both arrested by armed police days later.
McFarlane, 28, of Elizabeth Street, Accrington, was jailed in June for 11 months after admitting conspiracy to possess a firearm after agreeing to buy a handgun
Neal, who appeared in an England under-19s match against Sweden, was found guilty of two counts of robbery, conspiracy to possess a firearm and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was given a total custodial sentence of 12 years by Judge Anil Murray.
Neal, who has a previous conviction for assaulting a former police officer, was also sentenced to a further two months, to be served concurrently, for an offence of harassment.
Although Neal was jailed in June, the Lancashire Telegraph has been unable to reveal any details of the case because of reporting restrictions.
Those restrictions expired yesterday after a 39-year-old woman from Clitheroe was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice in a case connected to Neal.
Speaking at the conclusion of the Neal case, Detective Constable Richard Shires said: “These two armed robberies must have been absolutely terrifying experiences for the staff members involved and it is fortunate that no-one was physically hurt given that weapons were used in both incidents.
“The fact that Neal admitted his involvement is testament to the quality of the police investigation and the weight of the evidence against him.
“These significant sentences reflect the gravity of the offences committed.”
The Lancashire Telegraph reported at the time of the Spar robbery that thieves threatened staff before jumping over the counter and emptying two tills of around £300 cash and taking cigarettes.
The gang then left in an old-style beige Audi A3, which was later found by firefighters burnt-out in Clarendon Street, Accrington, at around 1am the following day.
Speaking at the time of the robbery, Peter Britcliffe, who used to represent Oswaldtwistle ward on Hyndburn Council, said: “This is a shocking incident.
“It’s disturbing to know we’ve got these kind of criminals lurking around the area who would do such a thing.
“I share the concerns of residents about this sort of thing happening in the area.”
During the Rishton robbery Neal threatened shop workers with a knife and left with vodka, cigarettes and around £300 cash.
He was then filmed along with another masked man fleeing from the store in High Street at around 10am.
None of Neal’s accompanies have been charged.
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