A SHOPKEEPER whose car was rammed by masked raiders trying to steal cash has spoken of his relief after a man was jailed for five years for the offence.

Nigel Masters, a partner at Spar in Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle, said he was pleased after one of the accused pleaded guilty part way through a trial at Burnley Crown Court.

Alan Palmer, 33, of Percival Street, Accrington, admitted attempting to rob Mr Masters on June 7 last year. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

A similar charge against his co-accused, 29-year-old Melvin Coulson, of Ash Street, Great Harwood, was ordered to lie on file and he walked free from court.

A charge of attempted robbery against a third man was dropped before the case was committed to the crown court.

Mr Masters suffered cuts to his head and arms in the incident, when raiders rammed his Citroen Xantia three times with a stolen Austin Montego as they tried to force him off the road.

One man tried to smash his car windows with a crowbar and Mr Masters was pursued and rammed as he tried to drive away. He was on his way to the post office to bank the day's takings.

The robbers finally gave up when they hit Mr Masters car so badly they damaged their own and had to break their way out of it before making off empty handed.

Mr Masters, 38, said: "I'm very pleased, it's a good outcome. I'm just glad it's all over because it's been going on for almost 17 months now. "I'm happy they've got someone for what happened. It would have been even better if they were all caught, but I'm happy with one person being found responsible."

Mr Masters, who is still a partner at Spar, said despite the terrifying ordeal he had never thought about giving up his job.

He added: "The incident happened on a Saturday and I went back to work on the Sunday. I just wanted to carry on with my job.

"The whole thing hasn't really affected me. My own feeling is that if something like this happens, you've just got to get on with it. Life goes on.

"We have tightened security at the shop, which is obvious when something like this happens.

"I'd like to thank everyone who helped bring this man to justice and also my staff for being so supportive."

In sentencing Palmer Judge Raymond Bennett said he felt no doubt that Mr Masters had suffered significant psychological trauma.

Detective Sergeant Jim Elston, of Accrington CID, said: "We're very satisfied with the sentence. We would have liked to have had all three persons convicted.

"But we're happy for Mr Masters that one person has been convicted for this extremely serious offence.

"This sends the right sort of message to anyone foolish enough to attempt this type of offence."

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