Two men sentenced at Derry Crown Court for a total of five years over armed robbery of filling station
Brian David Dean (51) pleaded guilty to robbery and illegal possession of ammunition.
He was sentenced to three years imprisonment for robbery with half of the sentence to be served on licence.
He also received a further four months concurrent sentence for illegal possession of ammunition.
Benjamin Mark Hagan (25) pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to two years imprisonment with half of the sentence to be served on licence.
The robbery, which involved a suspected handgun, left two members of staff shaken at Gort Filling Station on Church Street, Maghera in 2015, and resulted in the loss of cash and cigarettes.
Both men had initially denied any involvement in the crime.
Detective Inspector Adrian Brown from PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit, said: “I welcome today’s sentences.
“Both men involved in this despicable crime acted in a dangerous manner and without thought for the two members of staff who were left badly shaken.
“Police were alerted to the robbery of the filling station in Maghera on 5 February 2015 after a member of staff activated a personal alarm.
“Police attended the scene and found that two men wearing masks, one armed with a firearm, had entered the premises and demanded money and cigarettes.
“Arrests were made fairly quickly after the robbery.
“Our team have been working diligently since the offence alongside PPS colleagues to bring these criminals to justice.
“I welcome the sentencing of both men today.
“This is as a result of our investigation which resulted in the subsequent successful prosecution, and is proof of our determination to keep people safe.”
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