A SHOPKEEPER pistol-whipped by an armed robber has hit out at a “lenient” sentence that could see his attacker released in three years.

Jon Shirley, 23, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Friday after admitting four armed robberies in Oxford and nearby villages between December 2008 and February this year.

During the violent robbery at Londis, in High Street, Wheatley, Shirley repeatedly struck owner Paul McLoughlin, 64, over the head with an imitation Colt pistol when he fought back, before grabbing cash from the till.

Mr McLoughlin needed stitches in his wounds and is stil traumatised by the incident.

Shirley, who has already spent four months in custody, was jailed for six-and-a-half years and will have to serve half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Mr McLoughlin said: “Considering he battered me about the head and put me in hospital, this is a very lenient sentence.

“It surely must be a substantially longer sentence than six and half years for these armed robberies.

“The police are obviously surprised, because they did all this work getting this man into court and it’s the same old story – the judge goes easy on them.

“It certainly doesn’t act as a deterrent to others, does it?

“What can I do? It’s out of my hands. I think he was particularly violent to me and other people.

“I tried to stop him and he battered me. I don’t feel safe in my own store anymore and the courts haven’t given retailers the right protection.

“You expect protection from violent robbers, particularly from the courts.”

Shirley also admitted a gunpoint robbery at a BP petrol station in Marston, Oxford, and a violent robbery at the home of John and Dorothy Hazel, in Beckley, which he committed while threateneing the couple with a meat cleaver.

Shirley, of Roman Road, Wheatley, also admitted two charges of possessing an imitation firearm.

Police investigated a number of armed robberies linked to Shirley, including theft from bus drivers in Headington and Wheatley, knifepoint robberies of a taxi driver in Northway and a motorist in Summertown and a gunpoint robbery at Stanton St John village shop.

Det Insp Simon Morton, “We aren’t looking for anyone else in connection with these robberies.

“This was an extensive police investigation, which lasted months and involved a team of detectives, many local officers, specialist departments, and help from the community.

“We worked relentlessly and used many innovative tactics to track down and arrest this elusive, determined and violent criminal, who raised the fear of crime across Oxfordshire.

“Shirley must now pay for his violence and Oxfordshire is a safer place with him in prison.

“I would like to thank the public and the media for their support in this investigation, which assisted us in bringing him to justice.”