Pistol-whip Wolverhampton robbery trio found guilty after shopkeeper threatened with machete

Victim, Zemnako Azad Salih, owner of the Sam Euro Style off-licence, feared for his life during the attack in an alleyway alongside the store.

He had been visiting friends who lived above the Newhampton Road,Whitmore Reans, shop in the early hours of December 13 when he was set upon by Ashley Haughton wielding the machete and Issac Frazer, carrying an imitation firearm.

The two attackers - along with their lookout, Zubair Khan - fled with around £2,700 and a set of car keys from Mr Salih but were chased by witnesses and caught by police soon afterwards.

Miss Cathlyn Orchard, prosecuting, said: "This is a planned, targeted, joint offence. They knew Mr Salih's method of working was to close up at that time, and they knew he would have money. They had been watching."

Frazer pistol-whipped the 33-year-old victim with the imitation pistol while Haughton menacingly waved the machete.

Mr Salih told the jury: "I was bleeding, I couldn't see properly. I panicked and lay down on the floor and the one with the pistol in his hand took my wallet and my car key off me."

Khan, aged 27, of Seymour Road, Oldbury; Haughton, also 27, from Great Hampton Street, Whitmore Reans; and 33-year-old Frazer of Newbridge Street, Whitmore Reans were each convicted of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, and possession of an offensive weapon by the jury yesterday(thur2). They had denied all the charges.

The DNA of Haughton was found on the handle of the machete used during the robbery and a scarf worn by one of the gang and discarded at the scene.

Frazer, who has a string of previous convictions including robbery and possession of both firearms and offensive weapons, has already been branded a dangerous criminal in an earlier case. His barrister Mr Ekwall Tiwana said: "This was a very nasty attack but could have been a lot worse."

Mr Jasvir Mann, defending Haughton, whose previous convictions were not as serious: "The machete was being waved more to reinforce the threat than cause injury." Khan was of previous good character.

The trio were remanded in custody for the preparation of reports on the level of danger they represent and will be sentenced on July 31.