JAILED: Armed robbery gang pistol-whipped Wolverhampton shopkeeper
A chef who has been jailed for 12 years for his part in a vicious armed robbery is a serious danger to the public, a court heard.
Armed with an imitation firearm, Isaac Frazer pistol-whipped shopkeeper Zemnako Azad Salih.
Frazer, of Newbridge Street, Whitmore Reans, was locked up at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday.
The 33-year-old - along with machete-wielding Ashley Haughton and lookout Zubair Khan - robbed Mr Salih in an alleyway near his shop, Sam Euro Style off-licence in Newhampton Road, Whitmore Reans, on December 13.
The gang fled with around £2,700 cash and a set of car keys from Mr Salih but were chased by witnesses and caught by police a short time later.
Frazer; Khan, aged 27, of Seymour Road, Oldbury; and Haughton, also 27, of Great Hampton Street, Whitmore Reans, were each convicted of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, and possession of an offensive weapon. They had denied all the charges but were convicted following a trial last month.
Haughton, whose DNA was found on the machete's handle, was jailed for a total of 10 years and Khan for eight years on Friday.
Mr Ekwall Tiwana, mitigating for Frazer, who has a string of previous convictions including robbery and possession of firearms and offensive weapons, told the court he relapsed into drug-taking after being released from prison on licence. He was jailed for five years in 2007 for violent disorder and possession of firearms.
Mr Tiwana said while on remand Frazer became a learning mentor, teaching others to read and write.
"This was an extremely violent attack and it's pleasing to see that all three have been handed lengthy jail terms.
"The convictions speak for themselves. They are serious. He knows he has placed himself in a serious situation and is looking at a sentence in double figures.
"He is going to be an old man when he comes out," Mr Tiwana added.
Sentencing him via video link, Judge John Warner said: "You have already been found to be dangerous. I am satisfied that despite what has been said about you by Mr Tiwana that this will remain the case. There is a significant risk to members of the public that you may commit similar offences in the future."
For robbery, Frazer was jailed for 12 years and he must serve two-thirds. For possession of an imitation firearm and possession of an offensive weapon he was jailed for seven years and three years respectively. The sentences will run concurrently.
