A MAN has been jailed for almost five years following two separate robberies in Widnes and Liverpool.

Craig Gibbs, 29, from Damwood Road, Speke, was sentenced on Tuesday, July 22, at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to both offences He was sentenced to four years for the robbery of a Post office on Liverpool Road, Widnes.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2014, Gibbs robbed a postman as he was delivering cash to a Post Office. As the items were being placed in a counter hatch, Gibbs grabbed hold of them pushing the victim to the ground.

He was also sentenced to four years and eightmonths for another robbery in Hunts Cross, Liverpool in December last year.

During the Hunts Cross Robbery, Gibbs attacked the shop window with a hammer, after being unsuccessful in his attempts he entered the store and attacked the Rolex cabinet stealing 3 watches.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

DC Richard Kirby, from Runcorn CID said: "Cheshire Police is committed to tackling robberies across the county.

"We work closely alongside the business community to offer advice and support and we want to reassure the business community that we take any incidents of this nature very seriously and we will do all we can to trace those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.

"This is a significant outcome, which came about as a result of the fantastic help and support of the victims and witnesses.

"We hope that the court result serves as a warning to other would-be robbers that if you choose to break the law you will be actively targeted, caught and punished."