Armed raider jailed for life

Diggle Post Office, where Dentith admitted involvement along with a string of other raids across Greater Manchester

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A PROLIFIC criminal has been jailed for life for his role in a string of armed robberies across Greater Manchester — including one at Diggle Post Office.

The Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, complained when Peter Raymond Dentith was sentenced to only six years and four months for his crimes.

Yesterday three Appeal Court judges dramatically agreed with him, upping Dentith’s sentence to life.

Dentith (37), of South Street, Longsight, was originally sentence at Manchester Crown Court on June 15. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and to have an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery.

Post offices, bookmakers, jewellers and convenience stores were all targeted by a violent gang between November, 2013, and May, 2014. Imitation firearms, axes and crowbars were used and at least £8,000 in cash and other goods was stolen.

Dentith admitted involvement but not participation in a robbery at Diggle Post Office in March 2014.

He also took part in a robbery bid at a Stockport jeweller, during which the shop owner was punched and threatened with a gun and thought he was going to be shot.

Jocelyn Ledward, for the Attorney-General, argued Dentith’s jail term was far too soft in light of his criminal record and the use of an imitation firearm. Dentith had 28 previous convictions, for 123 offences, and had been jailed for six years in 1999 for wounding with intent.

He had already received a life sentence in 2005 for having a firearm with intent to commit robbery and pointing a sawn-off shotgun at a police officer’s face.

Lady Justice Rafferty said six years and four months was “unduly lenient” and Dentith deserved a life sentence. The judge, sitting with Mrs Justice Lang and Mrs Justice Patterson, ordered Dentith to serve at least five years