Man Jailed for 14 Years After Blackburn Robberies
A man has been jailed for 14 years after carrying out two violent robberies
Last updated 29th May 2025
A man has been jailed for 14 years after carrying out two violent robberies against women in Blackburn.
The first incident took place on 23rd December last year, when a woman stepped outside her flat for a cigarette at around 6pm. She saw a man and woman walk past before the man turned back and asked her for a lighter. After lighting his cigarette, he pulled out a knife and demanded her handbag.
The victim reported that he began waving the knife and pulling at her bag. Fearing for her safety, she let go of the handbag, and the man ran off with it.
A second robbery occurred on 13th January at 7.20pm in the Bank Top area of Blackburn. A woman was approached and sprayed in the face with an aerosol can. A struggle followed, during which her handbag was stolen.
CCTV enquiries later identified the offender as Craig Cotton, 40, of Rolleston Road, Blackburn. He was arrested and charged with robbery following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Cotton pleaded guilty to both offences at Preston Crown Court in March. He returned to the same court on 28th May, where he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with an additional four years on extended licence, after being classed as a dangerous offender.
PC Karl Duckworth, of East CID, said: “Cotton is a career criminal who has no qualms about using violence and weapons to get what he wants. I welcome the sentence which gives the public some protection from Cotton’s criminal behaviour.”