A "DANGEROUS" Brierley Hill robber who left a staff member with facial injuries as he robbed two stores has been jailed for ten years.

Brett Spittle, of Moor Street, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court for robberies at Budgens Store in High Street, Pensnett and the One Stop shop on Turners Lane, Withymoor last September.

Spittle, 39, struck first at the Budgens Store where he seriously injured a brave staff member who attempted to intervene, leaving them needing surgery for facial injuries.

Armed with an axe and hammer, he threatened staff and then forced open the till before making off with cash.

Later that day, shortly before 10pm, Spittle threatened staff at the One Stop shop on Turners Lane, Withymoor with a hammer as he stole cash from the till, cigarettes and a bottle of alcohol.

Police obtained the DNA sample at the scene of the Budgens store robbery and, following a manhunt led by the Neighbourhood Crime Team, Spittle was arrested on 15 December 2022.

Spittle was found guilty of robbery on both counts, receiving 10 years for the offence at the Budgens store and seven years and one month for the One Stop robbery when he was sentenced on Thursday (August 31).

Both sentences will run concurrently.

Spittle was also given two years and 10 months also to run concurrently for wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

He was also found guilty of two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

DC Bobby Khan from Dudley Police said: “Brett Spittle is a very dangerous individual.

"His victims endured a distressing ordeal at his hands – particularly the man who courageously tackled him during the Budgens store robbery – but they were determined to help us in our efforts to catch him.

"Their co-operation greatly assisted our investigation, which has led to Spittle deservedly being put behind bars.”