Virtual Lancaster

Dominick Garside

Two brothers who carried out an armed raid on a Lancaster building society have both been jailed for six years.

22-year-old Dominick Garside walked in to Cumbrian Property Services/Marsden building society on Church Street, Lancaster, on 29th March and threatened cashiers with an imitation hand gun before forcing them to hand over a substantial amount of cash.

His brother, 25-year-old Christopher Garside, kept watch outside before the pair fled and attempted to hide from police in Rhyl.

Staff at a Morecambe building society were able to help police identify Christopher Garside following a press appeal using CCTV images from the raid. It was quickly discovered that he had left his address in Morecambe and had moved to Wales the day after the robbery. Police also worked with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police, who were investigating Dominick as a missing from home case. Inquiries led police to Rhyl, where the pair were arrested.

They appeared at Preston Crown Court last month and pleaded guilty to robbery and a firearms offence.

Christopher Garside

Appearing at court yesterday (Thursday) Dominick Garside, of Buxton Road, Stockport, was jailed for six years and Christopher Garside, of River Street, Rhyl, was also jailed for six years.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Brian Shepherd, Lancaster CID, said: “This was a terrifying raid for the cashiers involved, as they believed Dominick was carrying a real gun. They have understandably been left deeply traumatised and one of them is receiving counselling.

“When we arrested the brothers, we recovered a sizeable amount of the stolen money from a safe in the property but it was clear that a significant sum had also been spent on expensive gadgets, household equipment and decorative items, which had been squashed into a bedroom – making it resemble an Aladdin’s cave of ill gotten goods.”

He added: “These criminal brothers are now behind bars and I hope that this demonstrates the lengths that we will go to catch those responsible for such serious crimes.”