Man jailed for Liverpool robberies
31 year old man sentenced to 6 and half years in prison
Merseyside Police can confirm a 31-year-old man has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison today for two robberies in Liverpool and possession of an imitation firearm. Alan James Jacobs, of Robson Street, Everton had pleaded guilty on 16 March to the robberies at Poundland, Prescot Road in Old Swan and Urban Angel, Derby Lane, which both took place on 28 August 2015, and possession of an imitation firearm. He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years for the robberies and two years for possession of an imitation firearm, to run consecutively. Jacobs used an imitation firearm in both incidents to threaten staff and demand money. Detective Constable Kevin Mitchell said: "Jacobs committed these crimes in broad daylight in busy shopping areas without any regard for the members of staff, who were left extremely shaken and distressed, or the members of the public who witnessed them. Thankfully nobody was physically hurt but young children, mothers pushing prams and elderly couples going about their daily business were confronted with what must have been a terrifying sight. "I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the bravery of victims and witnesses who helped put a dangerous offender like Jacobs behind bars for a significant length of time. "Today's sentence sends a very clear message about just how seriously both the courts and the police take attempts to rob businesses in Merseyside. "Incidents like this are, thankfully, rare but when they do happen. I can reassure people that we do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice and I hope today's result at court will give the victims some sense of closure and allow them to move forward with their lives."