Robber jailed after hammer attack at Oakthorpe store

A burglar has been jailed after attacking a man with a hammer in a village shop.

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

Damian Mould, 38, of no fixed address, caused “serious” injuries and then stole money and alcohol, police said.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Leicester Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery and one count of burglary. Following his release, his license was renewed for three years.

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

In that case, an employee working the night shift saw a man, later identified as Mold, behind the register taking cigarettes from a cabinet.

Police said she confronted him and reported that he threatened to have a gun and ordered her to open the register.

The victim was unable to open the register and Mold walked away with no injuries reported.

He was arrested at the business when police were called to a report of a trespass alarm on Lower Church Street in Ashby.

PC Amy Aplin said after his sentencing on October 31: “Mold had no respect for his victims by committing these crimes solely for his own gain.

“Thanks to the support and cooperation of the victims, as well as the thorough investigation conducted by the response officers and investigative team, Mold was left with no choice but to admit his crimes that led to this sentence.”