A WOULD-BE robber who was chased after holding-up a post office and pinned down by a firefighter until police arrived has been jailed.

The actions of brave firefighter Dan Winters were commended by the judge as he jailed the man for five years and he and a van driver, who also intervened, have been invited to court to receive a personal commendation from the judge.

Kris Whittaker (born 02/02/1981) of Bradshaw Mews, Bradshaw, Bolton, was jailed for five years at Bolton Crown Court on Friday, October 12.

Whittaker pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit a crime at an earlier hearing.

Around 4.30pm on Friday, August 3, Green Watch firefighters from Bolton North Fire Station were refuelling their fire engine when they noticed a man acting suspiciously as he ran out of the post office on Lea Gate in Harwood.

Firefighter Dan Winters said: "A woman with a baby in a pram and another woman came running out, all the alarms went off and then a man came out wearing a gorilla mask.

Picture of Dan Winters courtesy of The Bolton News.

"He looked around, I think looking for his getaway car but I assume we'd scared them off with the fire engine.

"Our driver put the blue lights and sirens on and I jumped off the engine and chased him.

"I caught up with him at the same time as a van driver who'd got involved - we pinned him down and took his mask and what we thought was a gun off him."

Dan, who is also a boxer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), was aware of the risk of chasing someone who was armed but felt he had to do something for the community.

"I couldn't stand there and do nothing so I just ran and chased him," said Dan. "I got a telling off when I got home."

Whittaker's gun turned out to be two pieces of pipe taped together.

Dan has been with GMFRS for eight years and been at Bolton North since January this year.

GMFRS Bolton Borough Manager Ian Bailey said: "It is another indication of the public-spirited nature of our firefighters - when they see something that needs doing, they act and they act quickly.

"I would not expect anything less as that is the type of people they are and will do anything they can to help the communities they serve.

"However, that does not take away from the fact Dan acted in an outstanding way and helped take a dangerous offender off the streets because of that bravery."

LEFT: would-be robber Kris Whittaker - jailed for five years after being tackled by Firefighter Dan Winters. BELOW: the imitation firearm that Whittaker was carrying.