Peter Marsden and Stephen Beckley were sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday 5 July for a number of robbery offences, which occurred in March 2022.

Marsden, 58, and Beckley, 34, committed the first of their robberies at the Spar store, Bridgnorth Road, on 29th March. They then struck twice again the following day, 30th March, firstly at Sainsbury’s on the High Street in the Wollaston area, and then at Tesco Express on Hagley Road, Stourbridge.

On each occasion, the pair made threats to staff members, wielding weapons including what appeared to be a handgun, before making off with cash and other items. Thankfully, none of the people targeted by the duo were physically injured but these were nonetheless extremely frightening ordeals for all of them.

We investigated, and while both men were disguised when they carried out the robberies, we caught up with them within a week of their last offence after gathering witness testimonies and analysing CCTV footage. We picked Marsden up on 4th April and Beckley on 5th April.

Marsden, formerly of Enville Street, Stourbridge, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, possession of a bladed article and affray. He was sentenced to 11 years and two months.

Beckley, also formerly of Enville Street, Stourbridge, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. He was sentenced to nine years and 10 months.