Post office raid ringleader jailed for 9 years

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AN armed raider who tried to rob a Farnworth Post Office has been jailed for nine years.

Jason Corkovic, aged 42, was one of two men armed with a sledgehammer who tried to rob Plodder Lane Post Office on November 25, 2010.

The men burst in through the living quarters before threatening staff and demanding cash.

The terrified victims — the counter clerk, the postmaster and his wife — took refuge in the secure counter area while the would-be robbers tried to smash their way in with the hammer.


Corkovic, of Murray Street, Higher Broughton, was caught after police later foiled a conspiracy and matched his DNA to blood found at the post office.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday.

Corkovic, along with two others, was arrested when police tried to stop a stolen Peugeot 307.

The car hit a wall and the men ran away, but were later found with a black bag containing a hammer, a machete and tin cutters. Jason McFeely, aged 39, of Lawnswood Drive, Swinton, and Paul Corkovic, aged 48, of Sevenoaks Drive, Swinton, were also sentenced on Friday after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery.

McFeely was jailed for 13 years and Paul Corkovic for 18 years.

McFeely and Paul Corkovic conspired to rob two security guards in Stockport and Blackley between February and April this year, but were not involved in the Bolton robbery.

Jason Corkovic’s conspiracy charge related to being caught with the other two with the weapons, but not the attacks on the security guards.

Det Con Matt Donnelly said: “There is no doubt in my mind that these men were actively preparing to commit further robberies when they were caught.”

One of the victims, Hilary Hawthorne, who runs Plodder Lane Post Office with her husband, said: “It was very scary. We are pleased with the result.”