Machete terror raid

Daniel Hamilton

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THE getaway driver in a machete raid on a store has been jailed.

Mark Peter Simms (31), of Quail Street, Oldham admitted robbery, disqualified driving and driving without insurance while accomplice Daniel Hamilton (24), of Ashton-under-Lyne admitted robbery and possessing an offensive weapon.

Simms was sentenced to five years in prison at Manchester Crown court, followed by four years on licence. Hamilton got five years in prison.

The robbery, in March, saw Hamilton and another man enter the Co-Op in King’s Road, Ashton as Simms waited outside in the car.

Hamilton, armed with a large machete, stole cash from the till while staff filled shopping baskets with cigarettes.

The car was later found abandoned in Clayton after hitting a white van.

Det-Constable Joe Harrop, from the Tameside Organised Crime team said: “We had a fantastic response from the public following the robbery and I want to thank them as the information provided greatly helped our investigation.”