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   ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)  Salford men jailed for attempted armed robbery
Four men who plotted an armed robbery have been jailed after they were foiled by police. Gavin Noakes (28/09/1979), of National Drive, Ordsall, Salford admitted conspiracy to rob, dangerous driving and possession of a firearm and was given an interminate sentence for public protection and ordered to serve a minimum of eight and a half years at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square. He was also convicted of an unrelated robbery in Leeds. Richard Walsh (30/05/1984), of Heron Street, Oldham, admitted conspiracy to rob and handling a stolen car. He was convicted of possessing an imitation firearm following a trial. He also admitted conspiracy to rob, handling a stolen car, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possessing a firearm with intent to commit a robbery for an unrelated matter. He was given an Indeterminate sentence for public protection and ordered to serve a minimum of ten and a half years. Jonathon Walsh (17/02/1988), of Dobrook Close, Newton Heath, Manchester, admitted conspiracy to rob, dangerous driving and handling a stolen car. He was convicted of possessing a firearm and jailed for a total of 14 years and will be on licence for five years upon release. William Moore (17/07/1982), of Phoebe Street, Ordsall, Salford admitted conspiracy to rob and handling a stolen car and was convicted of possessing a firearm and was given an IPP and ordered to srvee a minimum of seven years and nine months imprisonment.. The operation, codenamed Operation Bingo, involved officers from GMP's Surveillence Unit, Robbery Unit, Firearms Unit and Force Intelligence Branch and was a proactive intelligence led investigation. Shortly before 1.50pm on Thursday 24 September 2009, police were called to Greenbrow Road, Baguley, following reports of men acting suspiciously. Officers attended and spoke to Moore, Noakes and Richard Walsh who were parked up in a black Audi and appeared to be monitoring a cash delivery van. The men claimed to be waiting for a friend and police let them go once the delivery van left the area. At about 9.30pm on Thursday 24 September 2009, the gang collected two cars that had been stolen in Heald Green earlier that morning. The cars, a Mini and a BMW, both taken in a burglary, were fitted with false plates the following day. On Friday 25 September 2009, the movements of the group were monitored and they were found to drive to a car park on Blackburn Road, Haslingden, Lancashire in a number of stolen cars. A decision was made to arrest the men while they were in an isolated and contained area and specially trained officers from GMP's Tactical Firearms Unit were deployed to make the arrests shortly before 10.30pm. Noakes was in a Mini and repeatedly drove at officers and police cars in an attempt to get away. He was shot three times by police officers during attempts to detain him. He was taken to hospital and has since made a full recovery. Both Walsh brothers were arrested but Moores fled the scene. He was arrested on 2 October 2009. A loaded gun and silencer were found in the Mini driven by Noakes along with a sledgehammer and balaclava. All three men arrested were wearing dark coloured waterproof clothing and had balaclavas. It is believed the men were targeting cash delivery staff due to replenish cash machines at a nearby bank at around 11.30pm that evening. Detective Sergeant Chris Mossop, from the Force Robbery Unit, said: "We take pride in being every robber's worst nightmare. "GMP is dedicated to bringing dangerous and violent criminal gangs like this one to justice. "The men were preparing what would no doubt have been a violent and terrifying robbery. "The fact we were able to stop them and present such compelling evidence against them is testament to all the hard work done before, during and after this incident by all those involved. "They have rightly been given lengthy sentences and the message to other criminal gangs is crystal clear - we have dedicated teams working around the clock to find you and bring you to justice. When you are caught you will go to prison for a very long time." Main photo: Gavin Noakes Source: GMP
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