A MAN has appeared in court following an armed robbery at a convenience shop in Lower Gornal.

Brave passers-by helped to foil the raid at the Spar store in Abbey Road, which happened at around 10pm on Monday (October 23).

Stephen Ball, of Turner Street in Tipton, was arrested and later charged in connection with the raid.

Ball appeared before Dudley Magistrates Court on Wednesday (October 25), accused of robbery, criminal damage, assault, using or threatening violence towards another and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

The 31-year-old was remanded in custody and will next appear before Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday, November 22.