Wolverhampton knifepoint robber jailed for over seven years

Jamie James struck twice in 11 days while targeting three victims, a judge heard.

The 21-year-old was with two other men when he attacked Adrian White close to a cafe in South Street, Oxley, around 6pm on October 15, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The victim fled after being punched from behind but was caught by the gang on the nearby canal towpath after a short chase, said Miss Sophie Murray, prosecuting.

Mr White, who knew James, was kicked, punched and stamped on by the trio before James grabbed a £180 Gucci bag and £100 cash from the victim who was left battered and bruised when the attackers fled. The other two men involved have not been traced.

On October 26 at 9.30pm Bradley Malone was lured to a meeting on another stretch of the canal near Aldersley Stadium by 19-year-old Courtney Matto who knew that James would be lying in wait on the towpath.

Miss Murray continued: “James ran at him at speed, punching him several times before holding a knife against his throat and ordering him to empty his pockets which the victim did.”

A friend of the victim saw what was going on and came to his aid but was held back by Matto, the court heard.

James was slicing the air with the knife and ordered the friend to hand over his bike on which the attacker then rode away with around £25 worth of cannabis stolen from Mr Malone who had a puncture wound to his arm from the knife, it was said. The two victims ran away to raise the alarm after their attacker left the scene.

Six days later Mr Malone was waiting at a bus stop when spotted by the thug. James immediately started to punch him before warning he would be ‘coming again for you and your family’ if the complaint to the police was not dropped.

James from St Anne’s Road, Fordhouses, who had a previous conviction for blackmail, pleaded guilty to three robberies, witness intimidation and possession of a knife. He was jailed for seven years eight months.

Matto of Lane Court, Boscobel Crescent, Wolverhampton admitted two robberies and was ordered to be detained in a Young Offenders Institution for four years.

Judge Nicholas Webb said: “These were targeted attacks in isolated places late in the day which did considerable psychological damage to the victims. Bradley Malone was set up by Matto.”