A VIOLENT robber who stole a torch after knocking a pensioner unconscious has been jailed after he was arrested in Pedmore.

Kenny Field fractured the 72-year-old man's eye socket after punching him in the head more than 20 times in the unprovoked 6am attack in Redhill Road, West Heath on January 19.

It came after Field had already smashed another resident’s house window in nearby Forrell Grove, West Heath, the same morning.

The 31-year-old fled with only a torch following the robbery and he was identified as the prime suspect following a trawl of CCTV.

He moved out of the area to try and avoid being caught but officers tracked him down to an address in Hob Green Road, Pedmore, where he was arrested.

Field, of Crambourne Close, Rubery, was convicted of robbery and criminal damage at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was also found to be in breach of a restraining order and was jailed for five-and-a-half years last Friday (November 24).

Detective Constable Paul Jauncey, from Force CID, said: "This was a needlessly violent attack which left the victim with sickening head injuries.

"It was a relentless and cowardly assault by Field who tried to avoid justice by fleeing the area. However, through diligent detective work we were able to track him down.

"Field refused to give a reason for the attack and only responded with no comment answers during his police interview.

"It is not just the physical but psychological damage such an assault can cause and Field will now have plenty of time to reflect on his cowardly actions now his freedom has been removed."