AN ARMED robber who threatened to shoot a shop assistant was told the public needed to be protected from him as a judge jailed him for five years.

Police today praised the sentence given to Alan West, 36, of Heatley Close, Blackburn, and said they believed it would discourage other armed robbers.

He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday following the robbery at the Victoria Wine store, in Redlam, Blackburn, on January 30.

He made off with £100 after pulling back his coat to reveal a gun and threatening to shoot the shop assistant if the till was not emptied. The court also heard that another man went behind to counter to get the money.

Judge Andrew Blake said: "This was a stupid offence and people who work in shop premises at night need protecting from people like you."

Another man was charged in connection with the robbery in February, but was later found hanging by his bedding in Preston Prison while on remand.

Gary Wilkinson, 35, also of Heatley Close, was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital where he died two days later.

Detective Sergeant Paul Murphy, of Blackburn CID, who led the investigation, said: "Alan West will stay in prison for five years."

He also followed up a warning made by police in January that many armed raids were not worth the risk of a heavy custodial sentence.

"The police said that committing offences of armed robbery to gain £100 was not proportionate to the sentence that the offenders would receive and this has found to be the point," said Det Sgt Murphy.

"This substantial sentence of five years imprisonment reflects the severity of punishment the court will give to people who commit offences of armed robbery."