POOLE man Ben Murray has been jailed after using a stolen car to help him carry out a robbery at knifepoint.

The 34-year-old has been handed a 10-year sentence for two counts of robbery and one count of theft of a motor vehicle after an appearance at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday (March 3).

The charge came after, on October 16 last year, Murray stole a Mazda car from outside an address in Ashley Road, Poole.

A few days later, in the early hours of October 18, he used the car to commit a robbery at an address in Park Street, Weymouth, entering the building and threatening the occupant with a knife, before stealing jewellery and aftershave and leaving the scene.

Then, on the evening of October 26, Murray approached and threatened a man in Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, stealing the victim’s bag and then running away.

Investigations were launched into all three incidents, with police officers able to identify Murray as the man responsible.

He was arrested and charged, subsequently pleading guilty to the charges against him.

After the sentencing, Detective Constable Liam Moss, of Dorset Police, said: “Over a 10-day period, Murray stole a car and carried out two separate robberies. This must have been truly terrifying for the victims.

“Our enquiries into the incidents, which included scene examinations, CCTV trawls and taking witness statements, led us to Murray and I am pleased we have been able to bring him before the courts to face justice for his offending.”

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