TWO thugs have been jailed for over 11 years for carrying out two vicious robberies in Halesowen and Oldbury.

Chad Davis and Jordon James were sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court having pleaded guilty to the crimes.

The court heard that 25-year-old Davis, from Higgins Walk in Smethwick, and 24-year-old James, from Albion Road in West Brom, carried out a car-jacking and then targeted a cash delivery van in January 2014.

The first offence happened in Linnet Close, Halesowen on Tuesday, January 14 when the pair, dressed in dark clothing, approached a woman who was sat in her Audi A3 while it defrosted at around 7.30am.

The cruel duo grabbed the 39-year-old woman and pulled her out of the car before jumping in and driving off.

Just over two weeks later, on Wednesday, January 29, the pair put false plates on the Audi and used it as a getaway car when they stole a cash box from a security van that had pulled up outside Tesco in Bristnall Hall Road in Oldbury.

Police were called and quickly located the vehicle parked behind a restaurant in Long Lane, Halesowen and found a large amount of dye, which was believed to have come from the cash box, in a nearby outbuilding.

James was then spotted going into a shop and arrested by officers - a phone he had on him was recovered when he was detained.

Subsequent phone enquiries found that James had been at the location of the car-jacking and the cash box robbery and also found he had been working with Davis − who was then arrested on April 10.

Appearing at court last Friday, Davis was jailed for seven years and James was handed a four and a half year sentence. James’ sentence will begin in 2018 when he completes an un-associated jail-term which he is currently serving.

Detective Constable Derek Cole, who led the investigation, said: "The actions of these two were completely unacceptable and it is pleasing that they have been handed lengthy sentences behind bars.

"The victim of the car-jacking continues to be haunted by what happened that day. Fortunately she escaped with only minor injuries but has a constant reminder of what happened whenever she gets into her car.

"This sentencing makes clear that these kinds of crime will not be tolerated in the West Midlands − our message to offenders is clear, we will find you and we will bring you to justice."