Six years jail for pair in Cumbrian post office armed robbery

Two men from Carlisle were each sentenced to six years imprisonment today for committing an armed robbery at a post office in the city. Matthew James Scott (pictured)  25, of Ellesmere Way, Carlisle, appeared in Carlisle Crown Court today, Friday 12 October, after pleading guilty to robbery. Appearing alongside him was Kye Anthony Wayne Halliburton, aged 21 from Harker in Carlisle. He also offered a guilty plea to the charge of robbery. The pair were handed prison sentences totalling twelve years by Judge Batty today.

The sentencing follows an incident that happened on the afternoon of 29 June 2012.  At around 3.10pm, Halliburton entered the post office in Wetherall and bought a pint of milk. Shortly afterwards, Scott entered the post office and led the staff member to believe he wanted to buy some items before brandishing a knife and demanding cash from the till.

Scott took around £800 cash and left the store. He got into his red Vauxhall Corsa which was parked nearby and Halliburton drove him away from the scene.

Detective Sergeant Peter Proud was the officer who led the team of investigators in the case. He said: “Scott and Halliburton worked together to plan their crime and get away with hundreds of pounds worth of cash.

“They subjected the member of staff to a frightening ordeal. Fortunately she wasn’t physically injured however the robbery made her fear for her life.

“As soon as police were informed of the incident, police attended the scene. CCTV was examined and just over an hour later, a patrolling police officer spotted Scott’s vehicle parked up on Ellesmere way and it matched the description of the one used during the robbery. Halliburton’s flat was then searched and a quantity of cash and a pint of unopened milk was found.

“Scott’s car was then seized where more evidence was uncovered.

“I am pleased that today these men have been handed the punishment they deserve.

“Serious and frightening incidents like this don’t happen often in Cumbria but when they do, the whole community can be affected. Catching the people who did this immediately became a priority for police across the area and thanks to their dedication, we were able to find these violent criminals and take them off our streets.”