Fugitive Ryan MacDonald will face at least seven years and ten months behind bars if he is caught, after being sentenced in his absence to robbery and driving offences this afternoon.
Captured on CCTV, MacDonald and fellow robbers can be seen on motorbikes targeting pawnbrokers for jewellery.
The 20-year-old, on the run for a fourth day after being sprung out of a prison van in Salford, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and aggravated taking of a vehicle.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan said it was just unfortunate that MacDonald wasn’t present to see the sentence being passed down.
“The offences for which he has been sentenced today only underline just how dangerous he is; so I would like to continue my plea to anyone who has information on his whereabouts to call us,” he said.
MacDonald and his accomplices plotted to rob pawnbrokers in Manchester and Salford, and on three occasions approached the shops in broad daylight, smashed the front windows and attempted to steal jewellery.
MacDonald and his fellow gang members stole motorbikes and cars while planning for the robberies.
In one broad daylight incident, they rode onto the pavement of Deansgate, Manchester on a motorbike – stopping outside the Money Shop.
Detective Constable Justin Bryant said: “The raids on the pawnbrokers were planned, ruthless and determined, but terrifying for those who were caught up in them.
“In broad daylight, the offenders would smash up shop windows and not care one jot for those who could have been badly hurt.
“They had no issues in threatening members of the public with violence and brandishing dangerous weapons and the sentences passed down today have been deserved.”
Despite their arrests, the gang robbed another pawnbrokers in Salford on September 19 while on bail.
They rode the motorbike onto Salford Precinct outside Adermale and Bond pawnbrokers, as seen in the video.
They were confronted by a pensioner as they tried to steal expensive watches, but threw a sledgehammer which hit him in the stomach.
Two others who were involved in the crimes were also sentenced at Manchester Crown Court today.
JAILED: Jorden Jones and Jordan Aston robbed pawnbrokers with MacDonald
Jorden Jones, 19, of St Simon’s Street, Salford and a 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and aggravated taking of a vehicle.
Jones was sentenced to three years in jail, while the boy will be sentenced on 3 June.
Jordan Aston, 22, of Lower Seedley Road, Salford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and was sentenced to seven years and two months in jail.
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