Robber jailed after launching hammer attack at Oakthorpe store

A robber who attacked a man in a village shop with a hammer has been jailed.

The victim, in his 60s, spent two weeks in hospital after being robbed in Oakthorpe, Leicestershire, on January 13.

Police said Damian Mould, 38, of no fixed address, caused “significant” injuries before stealing cash and alcohol.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Leicester Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery and one count of theft. When he was released, his license was extended for three years.

Police said Mold was on bail for a previous robbery at a garage in Nottingham Road, Ashby, on November 1, 2023.

This involved a member of staff working the night shift who saw a man, later identified as Mold, taking cigarettes from a cabinet behind the till.

Police say the woman confronted him and threatened him that he had a gun and ordered him to open the safe.

The victim was unable to open the safe and Mold left with no injuries reported.

Ashby was arrested at a business on Lower Church Street when police were called to a report of a burglar alarm going off.

PC Amy Aplin said after being sentenced on October 31: “Mould had no regard for his victims when committing these crimes entirely for his own gain.

“Thanks to the support and cooperation of the victims, as well as the dedicated investigations carried out by the response officers and the investigation team, Mold had no choice but to admit the crimes that led to this sentence.”