A 20-year-old North Lancashire man has been jailed for two knifepoint raids at shops in Morecambe and Lancaster.

Levi McCandlish, of Borwick Court, Morecambe, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Monday (June 27).

The 20-year-old was jailed for his part in two robberies last year.

Around 7.20pm on February 22, two masked men carrying knives approached a shop in Balmoral Road, Morecambe.

The pair entered the store and one of the men walked behind the counter, threatened a staff member and opened the till taking £300.

The same man took some cigarettes before both left the store.

Around 9pm a day later, two men wearing masks entered a shop in Ullswater Road, Lancaster, again carrying knives.

The pair raided the shop, forcing a staff member to hide in the rear of the store.

Both men tried to access the till before one of the raiders took two cash tubs containing £300. The males then left the store.

Detectives believed both crimes were linked and following investigation, a fingerprint was found close to the shop entrance in Balmoral Road.

The fingerprint matched a man called Levi McCandlish, who was later arrested by police in Shrewsbury. He was charged with two offences of robbery and convicted at Preston Crown Court in May.

McCandlish went on the run following his trial but was recaptured by officers the same month.

He was sentenced to more than four years at a young offenders’ institute at court.

Det Con Trevor Walker, of Lancaster CID, said: “These two crimes were particularly frightening for the victims. The robbers wore Halloween masks and threatened staff with large knives purposely to scare them into handing over money.

“It is a completely unnecessary crime and clearly unacceptable behaviour from both men.

“Given that the men disguised their faces it is pleasing that we were able prosecute one of these offenders and bring him to justice.

“Crimes of this nature are rare in this area, often committed by desperate and dangerous individuals.

“This successful prosecution will serve as a deterrent to others who may be looking to earn quick and illegitimate cash in this manner.”