A CRIMINAL jailed for his part in cash-in-transit robberies has been told by judges that his jail term was 'richly deserved'.

Getaway driver Lee James Seddon, aged 38, of Snow Hill Road, Bolton, was jailed for 13 years and four months at Preston Crown Court on February 4 last year.

Seddon's lawyers argued at London's High Court that his jail term was too tough and unfair when compared with his co-defendants' punishments.

But Judge Batty said it was 'professional crime carried out by ruthless robbers' armed with weapons.

He Seddon's criminality had been 'carefully reflected' in the sentence he got and there was 'no disparity' with the co-defendants. His jail term was 'richly deserved', concluded the judge, who was sitting with Lord Justice McCombe and Mr Justice Blake.

In court last year, Seddon had admitted two counts of conspiracy to rob as well as dangerous driving.

The court heard how Seddon acted as a getaway driver in the robberies in Middlesborough and Preston.