ARMED raider Richard de Willock-Parselle was today starting an eight-year jail sentence after being convicted of robbing a building society and an off-licence.

He terrified staff during both robberies by threatening them with what was believed to be a shotgun hidden in a plastic carrier bag, but which turned out to be a fake.

During the raids on the Bradford and Bingley Building Society in Cornhill and Victoria Wine in South Bar, Banbury, last February, de Willcock-Parselle stole more than £4,300 in cash and two chequebooks. The 32-year-old had denied two charges of robbery and obtaining property by deception but was found guilty by a jury at Oxford Crown Court.

The court heard that de Willcock-Parselle, who lives in Coventry, was a heroin addict who carried out the raids to pay for his habit. Although he had 16 previous convictions, this was his first for violence.

Story date: Friday 25 February

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