THIS is the terrifying moment masked raiders wielding crowbars burst into a Flintshire bank.

The Leader reported in April how customers were left shaken after masked men snatched a substantial amount of cash from a security officer making a delivery at Barclays Bank in Queensferry.

Last week one of the men, 32-year-old Joseph John Hennigan of no fixed address in Liverpool, pleaded guilty to robbing £25,000 from the bank on April 18 and was jailed for seven years.

The Leader:

CCTV clip shows guard inside Barclays Bank as he attempts to deposit cash box 

The court heard the three men involved in the robbery had targeted a G4S van as it was depositing cash at the bank in Station Road.

A G4S Cash Solutions (UK) Ltd spokesman confirmed that the guard, whom the court heard was Paul Wilkinson, was not hurt in the robbery.

The footage showed a smoke alarm going off in the bank, which filled each room while one of the men tried to access a door to the safe.

The Leader:

Two masked robbers arrive and approach the guard

During Hennigan's hearing at Mold Crown Court David Maidstone, prosecuting, read out a statement from Mr Wilkinson.

In it he explained he had worked as a security guard for 11 years during which time he had been attacked on three previous occasions and suffered a stab wound and broken fingers.

The Leader:

Guard moves away from cash after being approached by raiders 

He said the incident had brought back memories of these incidents and he added that seeing staff in the back in tears had upset him.

“It remains in the back of my mind that I might be attacked again,” he said.

The court also heard statements from staff, one of whom said she felt so frightened she had hidden herself in a cupboard while others spoke of being “terrified” with one still feeling able to return to work.

The Leader:

Smoke alarm goes off inside bank