CHILDREN were left ‘petrified’ after an armed robber raided a shop ‘packed’ full of young customers.

The terrifying incident occurred during a three-day crime spree which has seen two men jailed, with a third accomplice having been spared prison.

This spate of robberies was only ended when two of the attackers were arrested at a Warrington hotel.

A first incident shortly after 10.30am on July 10 last year saw Daniel Hayes entered the Runcorn Expressway Service Station brandishing a knife.

Warrington Guardian:

He threatened to kill the cashier unless the worker handed over all the money in the till.

Shortly after 6pm the following day, the 31-year-old and co-defendants Samuel Oultran and Amy Burns targeted the Spar shop in Palacefields while the premises was busy with kids who were buying snacks ahead of England’s Euro 2020 final.

The final incident occurred at around the same time on July 12 at a One Stop in Helsby.

Hayes, from Frodsham, entered the stores on each occasion armed with a knife dishing out threats to staff.

Oultran, from Runcorn, acted as the getaway driver while Burns, from Runcorn, was the lookout during the second robbery.

Their offending was finally brought to a halt when Hayes and Burns, also 31, were detained by police at the Paddington House Hotel on July 14.

The former was locked up for six years at Chester Crown Court yesterday, Monday, after admitting three counts of robbery and three charges of possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Twenty-four-year-old Oultran pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and was caged for four years.

Warrington Guardian:

Meanwhile, Burns was handed an 18-month imprisonment suspended for two years having admitted robbery.

Detective constable Paul Cullen, who led Cheshire Police’s investigation into the incident, said: “These were terrifying ordeals for all those involved and I welcome the sentences that have been handed to Hayes, Oultran and Burns.

“The trio showed absolutely no regard for both the store workers and members of the public who were also present at the time of the robberies.

“These included innocent young children who were left petrified after witnessing such a shocking incident.

“Thankfully, as a result of a thorough investigation and the information received from the public, we were quickly able to identify Hayes, Oultran and Burns as the suspects in the case and the trio were quickly arrested and charged.

“As a result of the strength of the evidence we were able to gather against them, all three were left with no option but to plead guilty and have now been held accountable for their actions.

“I hope that this sentencing sends out a clear message to anyone looking to come to Cheshire and commit crime – you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.”