Career criminal jailed for five years
A career criminal who played a key role in raiding two petrol stations in the Black Country, stealing thousands of pounds worth of cash and cigarettes, was today behind bars.
Father-of-one Leslie Davies, aged 31, was jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday after admitting his part in two robberies earlier this year where workers were threatened with a monkey wrench.
Judge Nicholas Webb sentenced him to five years and three months in prison concurrent for each charge.
"You are a man who has been in trouble a great deal in the past – often for offences of violence, and once for possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply," he said.
On January 14, a group of three men including Davies stormed into the Shell Service Station in Gospel End Road, Sedgley, wearing balaclavas.
Just five days later, on January 19, Davies and three others ran into Wall Heath Service Station in Kidderminster Road, Wall Heath, Dudley.
Two men jumped over the counter and shouted at the female worker to open the till, filling bags with cash from the till and cigarettes before running off.
Mr Mark Rees, prosecuting, said it was Davis' 19th court appearance, with a string of offences such as affray and drug dealing under his belt.
Defence barrister Miss Sarah Buckingham said Davies had served the full length of the sentence as, when he was released on licence, he had been shot over an unpaid drugs debt. He was in hospital for four months, she said, and when he came out he breached his condition of licence by going into Tipton. His mother had to have a panic alarm installed at her home due to safety fears for the family's safety, she added.
The judge ruled the defendant's address should not be made public due to this history.
