AN armed robber pointed a gun in the faces of his victims and left a sick woman with a heart condition shaking with fear and afraid she was going to die.

Adam Merry was jailed for five years at Worcester Crown Court on Friday after admitting offences in Worcester and Evesham, including racially abusing a security guard at the Co-op in Ronkswood after he was caught stealing a bottle of wine. The 27-year-old of Fairfield Road, Evesham, admitted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm in Fairfield Road, Evesham on April 20 this year. He further admitted possession of a bladed article and causing racially aggravated fear of violence and theft of a bottle of wine at the Co-op in Lichfield Avenue, Ronkswood, Worcester on September 7 last year. Merry was also in breach of a community order imposed for possession of an offensive weapon after failing to attend a course and of a suspended sentence order of six weeks in prison (suspended for six months) imposed for assaulting a police officer by spitting in his face.

John Brotherton, prosecuting, said Merry pointed the imitation firearm driver at a driver, stealing Armani jeans worth £200. He also pointed the gun at one of the car's passengers and neighbour Ian Rock as he called police.

His wife Michelle Rock, diagnosed with a serious heart condition last year, became unwell and was described as 'shaking and hysterical' after the incident. “She believed she was about to die” said Mr Brotherton. Armed officers arrested Merry. The incident lasted about half an hour. The BB gun was not recovered.

Jason Patel, defending, said: “There are a number of certificates here which, in essence, show good progress in custody.” Merry is due to become a father in December.

Merry was not assessed as dangerous so no extended sentence was imposed by judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC.