Gunman pulled trigger as he brandished weapon at shop worker who feared for her life
An armed robber pulled the trigger of his gun as he brandished it at shopkeeper who feared she would die during one of two armed robberies in as many days.
The gun let off a loud bang and smoke as Imran Mahmood raided the convenience store and made off with around £650 cash from the till.
It happened on the afternoon of January 30 at Edgbaston Convenience Store, formerly Bassi News, on Portland Road, Edgbaston.
Police said the shopkeeper at the store "immediately feared for her life".
A day earlier, Mahmood, who has now been jailed for 15 years, struck at Windmill News and Booze, Windmill Lane, Smethwick, and threatened the shopkeeper there with an imitation revolver.
He made off with more than £1,000 in that raid.
Dc Simon Wasley, who led the investigation, said: "We immediately began a trawl of local CCTV and the suspect was seen making his way to and from each store in a blue Toyota Yaris.
"An eagle-eyed officer spotted the vehicle in the Smethwick area and, after further investigation, established it was the car used in the robberies and that it belonged to Mahmood's wife."
Mahmood, 40, of Edgbaston Road, Smethwick, pleaded guilty to two robberies and two charges of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
He was jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court last Wednesday.
Dc Wasley added: "In sentencing Mahmood the judge made reference to the terrible psychological impact his actions had on his victims.
"I hope that this lengthy sentence brings some comfort to them."
