Two brazen armed robbers who stole money from a convenience store have been jailed after a bottle of Stella Artois left at the scene revealed the fingerprints of one of the offenders.

Greig Andrew and Frankie Pettit used an imitation handgun to threaten staff working at Co-op in Chastilian Road, Dartford, during an evening raid in January.

Both were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court today (Friday) following an investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Scroll down for video

The court heard that at around 7.35pm on Saturday, January 6, Andrew entered the store and picked up a bottle before queuing at the checkout.

Pettit, who had been loitering outside, is then seen on CCTV entering the shop while wearing a hooded, beige coat and black tights over his face.

He approached the checkout brandishing a Luger style pistol and demanded the cashier open the till.

Andrew then placed the bottle of beer he was holding on the front counter and repeated the demand.

The victim handed over a quantity of cash to Pettit while Andrew leaned over and removed a coin tray.

Both offenders fled the scene however forensic analysis of the beer bottle quickly identified Andrew as an offender and he was arrested three days later.

He was found near a vehicle which had been used in the raid and its keys were found on his possession.

Finger prints found in the vehicle also confirmed he had been in it.

Black tights were also found in the rear foot well, Pettit's DNA was found on them. He was subsequently arrested at a property in Brixton.

Both offenders were remanded in custody and went on to admit their roles in the offence.

Pettit, 32, of Chichele Road, Cricklewood, London, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm and robbery. He was sentenced to three years and nine months for the robbery and two years for the possession of the offence. The two year sentence will be served concurrently.

Andrew, 35, of Sunset Close in Erith, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm and robbery. He was sentenced to three years and four months for the robbery and two years for the possession of the offence. The two year sentence will be served concurrently.

Detective Inspector Gary Scarfe from Kent Police Serious and Organised Crime said: "This was an extremely traumatic experience for the victim having been faced by these two brazen offenders who subjected her to untold fear for her safety whilst one brandished a firearm.

"The level of violence shown towards an innocent member of the public was entirely unacceptable and anyone that brings a firearm on to the streets of Kent can expect a custodial sentence."