A GETAWAY driver for two masked men who terrified staff during armed robberies at stores in Rowley Regis has been jailed for six years.

Judge John Warner told 20-year-old Remayo Stirling a woman behind the till in a supermarket had her life "devastated" by the violent robbery.

Two men working in William Hill bookmakers, Oldbury Road, were also badly shaken up as the two disguised robbers

burst into the premises and demanded: "Give us the money."

The bungling robbers were forced to flee empty handed from the betting shop as the staff members locked themselves inside a "safe" room.

The judge told Wolverhampton Crown Court the woman working in the Co-op store in Dudley Road West now suffered from panic attacks as a result of the raid, she had collapsed due to anxiety and found it difficult to continue working.

The robbers, added the judge, had been armed with a 10" kitchen knife in their attack on the betting shop and it was understood they were also armed when they robbed the supermarket just an hour later.

Mr David Oscroft prosecuting said Stirling was traced by police after a Mercedes car had been spotted being driven suspiciously

in the area and the registration number had been taken by a witness.

He said Stirling also reconnoitred the betting shop just before the robbery and his mobile telephone revealed he had been in the vicinity of both shops at the time of the raids.

Stirling, of Manor Road, Smethwick had a string of previous convictions involving robbery, attempted robbery, possessing an imitation firearm - clearly a "dreadful" record, said the Judge.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob - an offence committed while he was on bail and on the day he was due to make an appearance before Magistrates.

Mr Andrew Baker defending told the court Stirling was a young man who was easily lead by others adding: "The proceeds of the robbery were next to nothing."

Mr Oscroft said the two robbers got away with £165 in cash from the supermarket together with £150 worth of spirits and cigarettes valued at just £70.