Preston Tesco armed raid gang jailed

Police tracked the gang all over the North West

Armed raiders who shot a security guard at a Preston supermarket have been jailed.

Preston Crown Court heard Mark Cain, 48, held a gun to the security guard's head at the Londsands Lane branch of Tesco in Fulwood in March 2010.

He then shot at the guard several times, seriously injuring him.

Cain and his accomplice, Craig Bulger, 51, were both given indeterminate sentences with minimum terms of over seven years.

They raided the Tesco store at lunchtime on 26 March 2010.

The security guard flung a cash box at Cain and tried to run away but was shot at several times.

He spent the following six months in hospital being treated for his injuries.

The robbers escaped empty handed.

Cain, of Ashfield Rise, Catterall, admitted armed robbery, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and wounding with intent, and must serve a minimum of seven years, 148 days.

Bulger, of Scotland Hall Road, Newton Heath, Manchester admitted attempted robbery and possessing a firearm. He was given a minimum sentence of seven years six months.

A third man not linked to the Tesco raid, Wayne O'Day, admitted conspiracy with intent to rob between 18 August and 5 November 2010.

The 25-year-old, of Baytree Lane, Middleton, Greater Manchester, received a six-year jail term.