Banbury armed robber is sentenced

Danny Walsh, aged 25, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of possession of a firearm at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, September 5.

He was sentenced to six years imprisonment for robbery and four years imprisonment for possession of a firearm. The sentences are to run concurrently. Walsh was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170.

The court heard that at about 3.20pm on Saturday July 30, Walsh entered the Easington Post Office in Horton View, Banbury and threatened staff with what appeared to be a black handgun.

A quantity of cash was handed over to Walsh, who then made off on foot.

Thames Valley Police released a wanted appeal for Walsh, who was arrested four days later.

Investigating officer, Det Con Mark Personius of Force CID, said: “I am delighted that Walsh, who is an extremely dangerous offender, demonstrated by the fact he used a handgun during the robbery at Easington Post Office, is now behind bars for a considerable period of time.

“Thanks to excellent CCTV images Walsh was quickly identified as our suspect and therefore we published a wanted appeal to the public and media. We also shared this appeal with Sussex Police because we had intelligence that Walsh was in Brighton, and so it proved to be as he was arrested there just four days after the offence.

“I am pleased for the victims in this case, who thought their lives were in danger when Walsh entered the post office with a handgun. Hopefully the victims will now feel that justice has been served.

“I would like to thank all officers and staff at Thames Valley Police who worked on this investigation, Sussex Police for helping sharing our appeal and assisting with the arrest of Walsh, and the media and public who response to our wanted appeal was crucial in locating Walsh.”