Robber who shot Lancashire PC faces life in jail (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

Robber who shot Lancashire PC faces life in jail

6:18pm Friday 15th May 2009

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FOUR men have been jailed for involvement in an armed robbery in which a Lancashire police officer was shot.

Wayne McDonald, 47 years, of no fixed address, was jailed for life and was told by Judge Anthony Russell that he must serve at least 12 years before being able to apply for parole after being found guilty of wounding with intent to resist arrest, firearms offences and robbery.

David Tyrell, 38 years old, of Lions Drive, in Swinton, was imprisoned for public protection and told he must serve at least 7.5 years before he is able to apply parole.

He was convicted of wounding with intent to resist arrest and earlier pleaded guilty to firearms offences and robbery.

Rudolf Mancini, 55, of Division Lane, in Blackpool, was sentenced to eight years for robbery while Peter Plaskowski of Dean Street in Bamber Bridge received a three-year jail sentence.

The court had heard that PC Katie Johnson had been shot after arriving at the Hospital Inn pub, in Bamber Bridge, on New Year’s Eve 2007 following reports of an armed robbery. The jury was told PC Johnson was lucky not to be killed in the incident, and she was left in excruciating pain fearing she would lose her leg.

Earlier, staff at the pub had been brutally tied up in what was described as a callous and violent robbery.

Speaking after the sentencing Assistant Chief Constable for Specialist Operations Andy Cooke said: “This brings an end to what has been a very long investigation.

“I hope now that the many victims in this case are able to move on with their lives safe in the knowledge that those responsible will be behind bars for many years."

Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter, who led the investigation, added: “Today brings an end to a long enquiry and the sentences passed by Judge Russell reflects the seriousness of the offences.

“The level of violence used in this heinous crime was gratuitous and completely unnecessary.

“McDonald will now serve a very long time behind bars but I doubt he will show any sort of remorse for the crime he has committed.

“The way he conducted himself after his arrest adequately shows his contempt for common decency and law and order.”

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