Man jailed for shooting bank customer with air gun

A man has been jailed for sixteen a half years after attempting to rob a bank and shooting a customer with an air gun.

Jonathan Pay tried to rob a branch of Lloyds Bank in Liphook on May 16 but fled after attacking the 50-year-old man.

Hampshire Police said they were called at 4.10pm to reports that two men had demanded cash.

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The other man, who was armed with a knife, also ran from the scene and has not been identified.

The air gun victim, from Headley Down, also received a small stab wound and was taken to hospital but later discharged.

Pay, 46, of Liphook Road in Lindford, was charged with two counts of attempted robbery, one count of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and one count of wounding with intent.

On October 17 he pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding with intent, having already admitted attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

He was sentenced today at Winchester Crown Court.

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Investigating officer DC Kat Bird said: ‘This sentence will provide some amount of closure to the injured man and his wife who were both in the bank that day.

‘Jonathan Pay and another man entered Lloyds Bank armed with a gun and a knife.

‘When Pay approached the counter he was challenged by a customer who was paying in some money.

‘That customer tackled Pay to the ground causing his face to be uncovered and dislodging sunglasses which later forensically linked him to the offence.

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‘The man’s wife also grabbed a bag containing gloves and a balaclava, which Pay was carrying.

‘These items, which he had forgotten to put on, also forensically linked him to the scene.

‘During the struggle a second man, who we have been unable to identify, stabbed the customer in the abdomen before Pay also shot him with an air-gun.

‘The victim has been left with a pellet lodged in a major nerve cluster at the base of his skull, as its removal could cause paralysis to his face.

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‘Both the 50 year-old customer and his 49 year-old wife have been nominated for a Chief Constable’s bravery award for their actions.’

Following the sentencing she added: ‘In jailing Jonathan Pay for sixteen and a half years the Judge has shown just how seriously the courts take this kind of offence.

‘At the sentencing hearing the Judge stated that Jonathan Pay had acted in a “chilling and callous way” and that it is “clear that [he] is dangerous”.

‘Thankfully nobody else was seriously hurt, and we are continuing to carry out enquiries to establish the identity of the second man involved in the attempted robbery. I’d ask anyone who could assist that investigation to contact me by calling 101 and quoting 44160184028.’