AN armed robber who raided shops with a hammer, a dumbbell and threatened staff with a champagne bottle has been jailed.
Brendon Gray, aged 29, was one of two men who looted Premier Stores, in Old Stratford, on Christmas Eve, and then Cottage Stores, in Potterspury, on New Year’s Eve, last year.
Gray carried out the armed robberies with Kevin Scarlet, and took £2,700 in cash following the first raid.
The pair then threatened staff with a dumbbell in the second robbery, just seven days later, when they stole £2,000 and cigarettes worth up to £400.
Scarlet has since died, while being held on remand at HMP Woodhill, in Milton Keynes. Court staff were handed an interim death certificate.
Gray was jailed for four years for each robbery, to be served concurrently.