19-year-old jailed for orchestrating knifepoint robbery in Manchester
Aaron McKenna has been jailed for six years, and disqualified from driving for more than five years
A man's been jailed for six years following two violent knifepoint robberies in Manchester.
19-year-old Aaron McKenna of Ridgeway Street, Manchester was jailed at Manchester Crown Square Court after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery and one count of dangerous driving.
On 24 May 2020, McKenna arranged to buy a moped that was being advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
Both he and the victim had arranged to meet in Miles Platting so McKenna could purchase the bike and instructed the victim to go to a property on Halmore Road. Whilst outside the address, the victim was approached by two males who invited him around to the rear of the house, where he was then surrounded by a larger group, armed with weapons.
The group threatened the victim and stole the bike and the victim fled the scene in fear. Thankfully, he had been able to record the details McKenna had been using the contact him which later confirmed McKenna to be the orchestrator of the robbery. McKenna was then arrested on the 4 of June 2020 and released under investigation whilst his phone was sent off for decryption after refusing to assist police with the pin code.
Around a year later in April 2021, McKenna and a teenage boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were on Temperance Street, Manchester when they approached the victim who was getting into his parked car.
The two then punched and kicked the victim to the floor before they demanded his phones and keys and attempted to flee the scene in his car. McKenna and the teen then drove at members of the public who had attempted to help the victim and the teenager was detained at the scene by those who had helped.
The victim sustained a fractured finger and broken teeth as a result of the robbery.
McKenna fled the country to Dubai before he returned a few days later and was arrested and subsequently charged.
The teenager was sentenced at a previous date.
McKenna was yesterday sentenced to six years custodial for the April 2021 robbery. He was also sentenced to five years and 2 months imprisonment for the May 2020 robbery and six months imprisonment for dangerous driving. These are set to run concurrently.
He was also disqualified from driving for 63 months.
DC Benjamin John of GMP's Operation Valiant Team:
"These were violent and terrifying robberies for both the victims and will no doubt have had a lasting impact on their lives. I am glad we have been able to secure a conviction for McKenna today and I hope this will provide those victims with a sense of justice.
"We are committed to ensuring the streets of Greater Manchester are kept safe and no one should go about their day to day life feeling fearful or like they may be at risk of criminal behaviour."