Axe-wielding post office robber spared jail by judge

By JOHN ROBERTSON
Published on 26/06/2012 15:33

A MASKED, axe-wielding robber has been ordered to pay £2,500 compensation to his victims, as a judge took the “exceptional” course of sparing him a jail sentence.

• Brendan McGuckin robbed post office and threatened female staff, who were later able to identify him by his voice

• Judge cites McGuckin’s behavioural “improvements” for deciding against custodial sentence

Brendan McGuckin, 28, threatened female staff in a village post office and shop near Oban, Argyll, but apologised for what he was doing. The two women were later able to identify him to the police by his voice.

Lord Bonomy could have been expected to impose a prison term of four or five years for the offence, but decided McGuckin should be put on probation and pay the two women for their ordeal.

The judge said it was an exceptional disposal, but added that McGuckin, had made great strides in putting his life back on track since the raid in October 2010.

“I consider the ultimate purpose of the criminal justice system is to protect the public, and the best way of protecting the public from any repetition of this conduct is to ensure you build on the improvements you have demonstrated,” said Lord Bonomy.

He warned that if McGuckin did not behave, he would be brought back to court to be sentenced again, and he would not necessarily have the same “considerate” judge.