Trio jailed for robbery at Old Trafford shop where their accomplice was stabbed to death (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trio jailed for robbery at Old Trafford shop where their accomplice was stabbed to death

9:00am Wednesday 9th May 2012 in News

THREE men have been jailed indefinitely after a robbery in Old Trafford in which an elderly shopkeeper stabbed their accomplice to death.

Grandfather Cecil Coley, 72, fatally stabbed 30-year-old Gary Mullings and injured another man when four armed intruders broke into his florists shop, on Shrewsbury Street, Old Trafford, at around 9.30pm on July 26, 2011.

Joseph Junior Mullings, aged 24 and Kyle Mullings, aged 19 - Gary's brothers - and Nathan Walters, aged 26, were sentenced at Bolton Crown Court last Friday for robbery and possession of firearms offences.

All three pleaded guilty at a previous hearing.

Mr Coley and a 67-year-old friend were threatened with guns and hit in the face by the robbers. Money and rings wee stolen.

During a struggle, Gary Mullings was stabbed in the chest and Kyle Mullings sustained stab wounds to the lower back.

Gary Mullings was dragged outside by the three men but died from his injuries.

During a major police investigation, a black replica Glock blank firing pistol was recovered inside the florist and a silver Eley revolver was found underneath a car on Whitchurch Drive.

Kyle Mullings was arrested while recovering from his injuries in hospital.

Mr Coley, who spent two days in hospital after the incident, was arrested on suspicion of murder but the Crown Prosecution Service decided in September 2011 that he had acted in self defence and that no charges would be brought against him.

Senior investigating officer Andy Tattersall said: “Both men were confronted by the offenders who were armed and determined to steal money for their own selfish gain.

“Their main priority was to intimidate their victim and they did not care how their actions would affect him. It is very sad that someone lost their life after that night and the emergency services did all they could to revive the man.

“The victim was subject to a police investigation which was widely publicised and he was fully cooperative throughout. Hopefully today’s sentencing can go in some way towards helping him rebuild his life and forget about what happened that night.”

Joseph Junior Mullings, of Oakfield, Liverpool, must serve a minimum of five years before being considered for parole.

Kyle Mullings, of no fixed abode, must serve at least three and a half years..

Nathan Walters, of Thorn Court, Salford, won't be considered for parole until he has served at least five years and seven months.

All three men were also sentenced to five years each for the firearms offences, to run concurrently.