AN armed robber who struck at two Wirral convenience stores armed with a hatchet has been jailed for six years.

Sentencing Roy Piercy a judge said that he had terrorised his victims, both lone females, and described the husband of one of them, who gave chase as "incredibly brave."

Pierce, 33, of Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry, had pleaded guilty to robbing the Best One store on Woodchurch Road in Prenton on December 23 and attempting to rob News and Booze on Borough Road, Birkenhead, just an hour later.

He also admitted two offences of possessing the axe.

Chris Taylor, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that Piercy, his face disguised, burst into the first store shortly before 8pm armed with a hatchet demanding money from the till.

The terrified assistant gave him the £175 cash and also cigarettes that he demanded and he ran off towards Balls Road.

An hour later he struck at the second premises, still armed with the axe, demanded money from the till and claiming he was armed with a pistol.

The frightened woman assistant, Mrs Sukhandan Kayur, took a few steps back and called her husband who was upstairs and he rushed down and chased after Piercy who fled empty handed.

Judge Steven Everett, who watched CCTV footage of the incident, pointed out that the defendant "had met his match there".

Pierce was detained by police shortly afterwards and he admitted the offences saying he was desperate for cash because of threats over £9000 he owed his drug dealer.

Jailing Piercy, who has previous drugs convictions, Judge Everett said that the first victim, who was in the public gallery, had been badly psychologically affected and had had to give up the shop job which she had had for eight years.

As he was led to the cells the defendant said that he would like to say sorry to the victims.

Jeremy Hawthorn, defending, had told the court: "He expresses genuine remorse for the damage he has caused to other people".