Iain Parkinson: "A very dangerous man"

A man who kidnapped bank and building society workers before forcing them to open their work safes at gunpoint, has been jailed for 18 years.

Iain Parkinson, of Gerald Road, Salford, Greater Manchester, was found guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping and possession of an imitation firearm.

Bolton Crown Court heard the 27-year-old was arrested following a lengthy joint investigation by officers from Bolton and Salford.

Parkinson would hide in the back of cars owned by bank and building society staff in Bolton before threatening them with a gun.

'Sophisticated team'

Traces of his DNA were found in the back of one of those cars.

He was convicted of two armed robberies, five counts of kidnapping and two firearm offences.

Detective Inspector Andy Aston, of Greater Manchester Police, said Parkinson was a "very dangerous man" who was part of a "highly sophisticated and motivated team of robbers".

He added: "The detail of planning required for these robberies was extremely in depth and the men carrying them out were very organised.

"They showed absolutely no thought whatsoever for their victims, all of whom are still affected by what happened to them.