Armed Robber Who Lost Shoe And Gun Is Jailed

AN armed robber who lost his shoe and gun when he was hit by a car as he fled from the scene of a robbery, has been jailed.

He picked himself up and ran off, leaving the trainer and the gun behind. Both items were forensically recovered and Griffiths’ DNA was found on both.

Kieran Rhys Griffiths, 17, from Rochdale and an accomplice went into Hulme Post Office on Stretford Road one morning last July, pointed a gun at a member of staff behind the till and demanded cash. Griffiths then went behind the counter, put the gun to the woman's head and told her to open the till.

One of the staff managed to activate the panic alarm and on hearing it sound both men fled the shop with stolen cigarettes. Griffiths, ran into the road, was hit by a passing car and lost his shoe and gun. He picked himself up and ran off, leaving the trainer and the gun behind. Both items were forensically recovered and Griffiths’ DNA was found on both.

Griffiths was today sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to three years, four months in a Young Offenders Institution.

Detective Constable Heidi Cullum, of Longsight CID, said: "Griffiths cannot for one minute complain about his misfortune. He carried out a violent hold-up of a post office and ran out into traffic hoping to get away.

“The collision meant he lost his trainer and the weapon he had used to frighten the shopkeeper and customers. It’s extremely unusual to have a double forensic opportunity like this and we didn’t pass up the chance to put a violent criminal away.

“The message here is clear - if you carry out a violent offence and leave any trace behind, we will catch up with you.”