A “very dangerous offender” has been jailed for six years and eight months after using a fake gun to rob one store and attempt to rob another.

Luke Andrews, 28, of Melville Gardens, Bournemouth robbed Fraser’s Budgens store in Yarnton, Oxfordshire on February, 13 2017.

He entered the store and walked to the cashier, where he threatened a member of staff with a handgun, which police later established was fake. The member of staff handed over a quantity of cash and Andrews fled the scene.

Three days later Andrews attempted to rob a newsagents in Woodcote Way, Reading.

Andrews entered the store and approached the counter before pointing the same gun at a member of staff and demanding money. The member of staff wrestled the gun from Andrews who then fled the shop on foot.

Andrews left the gun and a black bin liner at the scene which helped the police identify him.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jon Morley of Force CID said: “I am delighted that Luke Andrews has been jailed for six years and eight months for these extremely serious crimes.

“This was an extensive investigation involving work from across a number of departments in the force, including CID, forensics, and scenes of crime, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service.

“A very dangerous offender has been incarcerated for a significant period of time.

“The gun and a black bin liner were recovered and forensically examined. Andrews’ DNA was located on both the handle and gas canister chamber of the gun. Andrews’ fingerprints were also found on the black bin liner.”

Police also carried out enquiries into phone data which established that Andrews’ phone had travelled from Bournemouth to Yarnton on the day of the robbery, which linked him to the location.

DC Morley added: “CCTV footage from the robbery in Yarnton and the attempted robbery in Reading were then compared, and it appeared that the offences were committed by the same person, due to the similar clothing that the offender was wearing, and the firearm appeared to be the same.

Bournemouth Echo:

The fake gun used by Luke Andrews

“It was later established that the firearm was a very realistic looking imitation firearm designed for firing 6mm spherical plastic projectiles.

“The gun had the appearance of a real revolver with a silver frame and black pistol grips – the victims must have been petrified as it was pointed at them.

“I want to praise the victims in this case for the bravery they have demonstrated. I hope they feel that justice has now been done.”