Armed robber jailed for two shop raids
An armed robber has been jailed for more than five years after holding up terrified staff at two stores at knifepoint.
The raids took place less than two weeks apart at shops in Walsall.
Andrew Spencer, 33, threatened staff with a knife at a store on Bloxwich Road, Walsall, on June 24 last year demanding the till was opened.
When the terrified counter assistant was unable to open the machine, Spencer himself tried to force it with the knife he was holding. When he too failed, he slammed the woman's head against the counter.
In a second attempt she succeeded in opening the till, and he stole a large amount of cash and cigarettes worth a total of £6,000. Police said the assistant was clearly shaken by her ordeal but not seriously hurt.
Earlier in the month, on June 12, Spencer threatened staff with a knife at a newsagents in Stephenson Avenue, Bloxwich, and got away with around £400.
During both robberies, Spencer had an accomplice keeping watch, the court heard. Efforts are ongoing to trace this offender, say police.
After combing through extensive CCTV footage, detectives were able to identify Spencer who pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court to both robberies. He jailed for five years and two months.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "We’re committed to tackling people causing harm within our communities. This attack was terrifying for the staff at both stores and we hope Spencer’s conviction provide some comfort to them."
