A STOURBRIDGE crook described as an "absolute menace" who was armed with a machete when he robbed terrified staff at a convenience store has been jailed for five years and three months.

Damian Hill, who had been hooked on hard drugs since he was just 11, snatched cash and cigarettes from Costcutter.

The 35-year-old was with an accomplice as he raised the large machete over his head and demanded: "Hurry up. Open the till."

Hill was known to the staff in the store but they were left physically sick by the incident with one woman fearing for her life - Caroline Harris, prosecuting, said.

She said Hill had other robberies on his criminal record and reports made it clear he posed a high risk of causing serious harm in the future.

Richard Davenport, defending, said: "He is an absolute menace because as soon as he is released from prison he reoffends.

"He waved the machete. He did not touch anyone with the weapon and he did not harm anyone. It was just used to threaten."

Mr Davenport told the court Hill was driven to commit the robbery because of his serious crack cocaine and heroin habit - having first been introduced to drugs when he was a schoolboy.

He added: "His whole life has been taken over by his addiction. He is a man who is becoming institutionalised.

"The lady in the shop has known him for some years and he is full of remorse for his actions."

Recorder Michelle Heeley QC said Hill was clearly in the throes of his addiction to Class A drugs and it was a robbery that must have been "utterly terrifying" for the women in the store.

She said: "They were left in absolute fear as to what might happen."

Miss Harris said the second man with Hill had filled a bag with cash from the till and cigarettes and he was still being hunted by police.

Hill, of Vicars Walk, admitted robbery and possessing the machete and the Recorder extended his licence on his release from custody by another two years.