Two men jailed after armed robbery near Formby railway station

Two men have been jailed for more than five years following a terrifying robbery in Formby in which two victims were threatened and had their mobile phones stolen.

Callum McCaughery, 25, of Ruthven Road, Litherland, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to two years and one month in prison for robbery, together with a consecutive one year sentence for a separate burglary offence.

Jason McKinney, 26, of Denman Drive, Kensington, was sentenced to two years and one month in prison for robbery.

Both men were sentenced on Thursday 25 June.

The robbery took place at around 10.50pm on Wednesday 13 November 2024 after two men got off a train at Formby railway station and began walking along the footpath towards Ennerdale Road.

As they made their way along the path, they were approached from behind by McCaughery and McKinney, who were wearing face coverings. The pair threatened the victims before stealing their mobile phones. During the robbery, a weapon was pressed into the back of the victims, although investigators were unable to confirm exactly what the weapon was.

Following extensive enquiries, detectives established that one of the stolen phones had later been sold at Bootle Strand Shopping Centre. That crucial line of enquiry led officers to identify and arrest both offenders.

Detective Sergeant Immy Mahmood said:

“The two offenders thought nothing of putting their victims in fear in order to steal phones, which they then attempted to sell on to an unsuspecting business.”

“To use threats and weapons in our communities will never be tolerated, and we will use all our available powers and tactics to identify robbery and burglary suspects and put them before the courts. I hope that their sentence helps the victims after going through such a distressing experience.”

Anyone with information about robbery or burglary is encouraged to contact Merseyside Police via social media, online or by calling 101. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.